Partnership Formed: CTO and Conservation International Work Together to Promote Eco-Friendly Tourism in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Conservation International (CI) have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on promoting nature-positive tourism in the Caribbean. The agreement was signed on June 11, 2025, at CTO's headquarters in Barbados.
Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the CTO, expressed her commitment to the partnership, stating that it reaffirms their commitment to protecting the Caribbean's rich natural heritage. Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice President, Field Programs at Conservation International, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the potential benefits of the partnership in broadening their network and advancing sustainable tourism in the Caribbean.
The partnership positions the Caribbean as a global leader in sustainable travel and environmental stewardship. The key priorities of the collaboration focus on integrating biodiversity conservation with tourism development, fostering resilient economies through nature-based solutions, and empowering local communities to be stewards of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean.
The partnership aligns with CTO's Reimagine 2025-2027 Plan, aiming to position the Caribbean as a global leader in nature-positive and environmentally responsible tourism. The collaboration emphasizes building capacity within the tourism sector to adopt sustainable and resilient approaches, encouraging conservation-driven tourism investments, and developing nature-based economic models that are resilient and inclusive.
Collaborative efforts in research, education, and community outreach related to environmental preservation are also a key focus of the partnership. The partnership supports conservation-focused investments and community projects aligned with protecting biodiversity and promoting livelihoods tied to natural resource management.
The MoU between CTO and CI focuses on conservation-driven investments, community-led initiatives, and technical cooperation. The agreement aims to promote nature-positive tourism throughout the Caribbean, protect biodiversity, strengthen local economies, and improve community well-being in the region.
In summary, the CTO-CI partnership prioritizes integrating biodiversity conservation with tourism development, fostering resilient economies through nature-based solutions, and empowering local communities to be stewards of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. This collaboration is a significant step towards advancing the Caribbean's commitment to protecting its rich natural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism in the region.
[1] Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) - Reimagine 2025–2027 Strategic Plan [2] Conservation International - Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Tourism [3] Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) - Press Release: CTO and Conservation International Sign MoU to Advance Sustainable Tourism in the Caribbean [4] Conservation International - Partnerships for a Sustainable Future: The Role of Public-Private Collaborations in Achieving Conservation Goals [5] Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) - Nature-Positive Tourism: A Vision for the Future of Caribbean Tourism
- The partnership between the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Conservation International (CI) is a significant step towards integrating biodiversity conservation with tourism development, promoting nature-positive tourism, and protecting the Caribbean's rich natural heritage.
- By partnering on sustainable tourism initiatives, CTO and CI aim to foster resilient economies through nature-based solutions, making the Caribbean a global leader in sustainable living and home-and-garden practices.
- To ensure the success of their efforts, the collaboration will focus on building capacity within the tourism sector, encouraging conservation-driven investments, and developing nature-based economic models that are both resilient and inclusive, following CTO's Reimagine 2025–2027 Strategic Plan.
- In addition to focusing on sustainable growth for the regional business environment, the partnership will also prioritize collaborative efforts in science, environmental-science, research, education, and community outreach to empower local communities in charge of sustainable tourism.
- Ultimately, this partnership will advance the Caribbean's commitment to sustainable-living practices, striving to improve community well-being while academically and financially supporting conservation-focused investments and community projects that align with preserving biodiversity and promoting livelihoods tied to natural resource management.
