The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s recent Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, held in Grenada, centered on the theme “The 5 Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose & Partnership.” Keynote speaker Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, emphasized the pivotal role of partnerships (the fifth ‘P’) in the region’s rapid tourism recovery.
During his speech, Stewart highlighted collaborations with various stakeholders, including farmers, transportation sectors, tour providers, fishers, entertainers, and even religious officials.
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He said, “If we can have these conversations about linkages and working together and not stand oppose one another recognising that, we are not competing with each other. Antigua is not competing with St Lucia. St Lucia is not competing with Grenada. Grenada is not competing with Jamaica. The world says the Caribbean, they put us together in the pot whether we like it or not. We’re competing against France, Italy, Germany, London, Paris, Singapore, and Dubai. That’s who we are truly competing against.”
The conference attracted a diverse array of attendees, including tourism ministers, eco-friendly hotels, volunteer organizations, and decarbonization technology manufacturers. Marc Melville, CEO of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, underscored the long-standing commitment to partnerships, citing the company’s engagement with local communities over its nearly four-decade history.
Stewart also highlighted another critical issue affecting the region – the issue of Chinese-made products being sold in the Caribbean under a false label claiming they are Caribbean-made.
“We are importing crafts from Indonesia, China, and Mexico with our country’s brands on them. These products need to be made here, the talent is here and if we believe we can fool the customer, you are short-lived,” he said.
He also highlighted critical issues like the ease of doing business and travel to the region, investing in the personal growth and development of stakeholders in the tourism industry and the encouragement of community-focused tourism, and responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
(This story was updated on May 15, 2024, 1:53 pm)
