Caribbean Tourism Organization Chief: “Sustainability Is Our Currency”
It’s no secret that the Caribbean is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. That means taking immediate action to protect tourism-dependent destinations like the Caribbean is more essential than ever, according to Dona Regis-Prosper, secretary general of the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Prosper, who was speaking this week in Berlin on a panel on “Steering Tourism in Challenging Times,” said there was a need for both practical tools and financing to help regions like the Caribbean navigate the uncertain world of a changing climate.
“Sustainability is our currency,” Regis-Prosper said. “At least eight out of the 10 most [tourism]-dependent nations in the entire world are based in the Caribbean. And for some of our destinations, up to 80 percent of GDP is tourism-based.”
While many destinations within the region have already taken concrete steps toward sustainability, from banning single-use plastics to promoting community tourism, financing access remains a challenge.
“There’s a saying that faith without works is dead. We certainly have the faith in the Caribbean. We are willing to work – we are hardworking people – but the gap is that access to financing, and that’s how you get to work,” Regis-Prosper said.
The panel was held during the ITB Berlin conference, which organizers said attracted more than 100,000 visitors to the global tourism conference.
Caitlin Sullivan began her career with Caribbean Journal as Arts and Culture editor before shifting to travel full time. She writes frequently on the Caribbean cruise industry, flight networks and broader travel news. Her most frequent Caribbean destination? Nassau.
