Embracing a Greener Horizon: The Caribbean's Pledge to Regenerative Tourism

A Landmark Alliance for Sustainable Growth in Caribbean Travel

A pivotal agreement has been forged between the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the global environmental non-profit, Conservation International (CI). This two-year Memorandum of Understanding, formally established at the CTO's Barbados headquarters on June 11, sets the stage for promoting tourism practices that are inherently beneficial to the environment, fostering resilient local economies, and enhancing the welfare of communities throughout the islands.

Shaping the Future: The Vision for a Climate-Smart Tourism Sector

This strategic alliance is an integral component of the CTO’s ambitious Reimagine 2025–2027 Plan, which seeks to cultivate a more robust and equitable tourism industry. The partnership will facilitate joint efforts in directing investment towards conservation, conducting in-depth technical research, and empowering local, community-driven projects. The overarching objectives include bolstering capacity across the sector for adopting sustainable methodologies, encouraging financial contributions from tourism into conservation endeavors, and expanding economic models based on natural resources within the Caribbean.

Leadership Perspectives on Environmental Stewardship and Economic Resilience

Dona Regis-Prosper, the Secretary-General of the CTO, emphasized the profound significance of this collaboration, hailing it as a crucial stride toward realizing a tourism sector that is regenerative, inclusive, and attuned to climate challenges. Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice President of Field Programs at Conservation International, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the partnership will unlock tourism's potential to drive environmental safeguarding and economic stability for Caribbean communities. This cooperative effort signifies a broader, concerted regional push to establish the Caribbean as a global exemplar in the realm of sustainable travel.