Bahamas Launches Sustainable Island Innovation Challenge

The Bahamas has officially launched a new national initiative aimed at transforming the future of its tourism economy through innovation and sustainability.

The Bahamas Sustainable Island Challenge, developed in partnership with UN Tourism and local tech incubator Innovate 242, was formally introduced during the 70th UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Americas, held in Lima, Peru from July 31 to August 2, 2025.

Led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, I. Chester Cooper, The Bahamas delegation presented the Challenge as a strategic push to foster climate-smart, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism solutions.

“This is more than a competition,” Cooper said. “It’s an invitation to our brightest minds to help build a more resilient, more innovative, and more inclusive tourism economy. We are giving Bahamians the tools and the global platform to lead in the areas that matter most — from environmental protection to entrepreneurship.”

The initiative is designed to attract startups and entrepreneurs to develop solutions across key focus areas, including ocean and marine conservation, community-based tourism, and digital transformation. It culminates later this year with a pitch competition and awards ceremony during the UN Tourism Tech Adventures: The Bahamas, to be hosted in-country.

The Challenge will be anchored in Grand Bahama, which has been named the national innovation hub for the program. “Grand Bahama is proud to lead this effort,” said Minister for Grand Bahama, The Hon. Ginger Moxey. “We are uniquely positioned to demonstrate how technology, creativity, and local collaboration can fuel sustainable growth across all our islands.”

According to Director General of Tourism Latia Duncombe, the program is part of a broader effort to position tourism as a driver of economic empowerment. “This initiative allows us to tap into the talent and creativity of our people,” Duncombe said. “By merging sustainability with innovation, we’re creating real pathways for entrepreneurship, investment, and global visibility.”

Tourism accounts for over 50 percent of The Bahamas’ GDP, and with a record 11 million international visitors in 2024, nnovation is no longer optional — it’s a necessity, said Natalia Bayone, Executive Director of UN Tourism. “This Challenge is about scaling bold, island-based solutions that are climate-adapted, marine-friendly, and community-driven,” she said.

It’s part of a major push The Bahamas is making in sustainability, including the just-launched third edition of The Bahamas Travel and Sustainability Awards.