A New Push for “Nature-Positive” Tourism in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Tourism Organization has signed a two-year agreement with global nonprofit Conservation International to promote sustainable, nature-positive tourism across the region.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed June 11 at the CTO’s Barbados headquarters, outlines a framework to support conservation-focused tourism models that protect biodiversity, strengthen local economies and improve community well-being.
The partnership is part of the CTO’s Reimagine 2025–2027 Plan, which sets out to build a more resilient and inclusive tourism sector. Under the agreement, both organizations will collaborate on conservation investment, technical research, and support for local, community-led initiatives.
Key goals include building sector-wide capacity for sustainable practices, encouraging tourism investment in conservation, and expanding nature-based economic models in the Caribbean.
“This partnership marks a meaningful step forward in our mission to build a regenerative, inclusive and climate-smart tourism sector,” said CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper.
Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice President of Field Programs at Conservation International, said the collaboration will help unlock the potential of tourism to drive environmental protection and economic resilience in Caribbean communities.
The agreement signals a broader regional effort to position the Caribbean as a global leader in sustainable travel.
