The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on February 15, 2023, announced the winners of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards Competition 2022 at a Virtual Awards Function.
CTO has been hosting the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards from 2000 to coincide with the start of the new millennium, in seeking to support and promote the sustainable development of tourism in the Caribbean.
The Awards aim to identify and showcase sustainable tourism good practices undertaken in CTO member countries in the Caribbean and is open to individual entrepreneurs, destination management organizations, tourism businesses and others, which have developed innovative tourism related products, services or experiences and in implementing these initiatives adhere to responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
“At the core of all CTO’s efforts is advocating for the sustainable and inclusive growth of Caribbean tourism, towards a viable, resilient and responsible tourism sector. This requires careful consideration of tourism’s impact on local communities that live, work and thus support the tourism economy in our many destinations, with equal care and attention to promote conservation and responsible use of our valuable yet fragile natural resources, cultural and heritage assets,” said Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of the CTO, delivering opening remarks at the Virtual Awards Function.
He added that, “The Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards provide a platform to recognise the efforts made by the regional tourism sector in advancing the sustainable tourism development agenda and continue to be a vital part of CTO’s efforts to reward sustainability champions in Caribbean tourism. Importantly, the Awards endeavour to celebrate initiatives that enhance the Caribbean tourism value proposition, while positioning the region as the ultimate sustainable tourism zone. In this regard, we commend all 27 applicants that submitted entries for the 2022 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards. You are all winners!”
The 2022 edition of the Awards comprised of five categories: Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award, Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award, Tourism Health and Safety Award, Community-Based Tourism Award and the Tourism Education and Training Award.
The CTO assembled an Award Selection Committee comprising a cadre of regional and international experts representing various areas of the tourism sector, including tourism development specialists and practitioners, academics and regional consultants to judge submissions. Following the review by the distinguished panel of judges, the results of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards 2022 are:
