Published on August 22, 2025
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will play a prominent role in showcasing its leadership in sustainable tourism at CARIFESTA XV, the Caribbean Festival of the Arts, to be held from August 22–31, 2025, in Barbados. This year’s event presents an exceptional opportunity for the CTO to emphasize its long-standing commitment to sustainability within the tourism industry and highlight its ongoing efforts to foster a more eco-conscious and resilient Caribbean tourism sector.
Collaborative Efforts with CARICOM and Local Organizing Committee

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Working in collaboration with the Local Organizing Committee and CARICOM, the CTO will host its interactive exhibition at the Sustainability Pavilion, located at the Grand Market in Waterford, just a short distance from the picturesque Botanical Gardens. The festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors, including artists, cultural enthusiasts, industry professionals, and tourists, all eager to explore the vibrant Caribbean culture. This presents a unique platform for the CTO to engage both the public and stakeholders in discussions on the critical issue of sustainable tourism.
The CTO’s booth will offer an engaging and informative experience, drawing attention to the organization’s vision of advancing sustainable tourism development across the Caribbean region. By integrating a combination of educational displays and interactive sessions, the booth will serve as an informational hub, shedding light on the crucial role tourism plays in the Caribbean’s economy and the importance of adopting environmentally friendly practices to ensure the longevity of the sector.

As part of its contribution to the festival’s dialogue, CTO will also participate in a panel discussion on sustainability and cultural integration. Narendra Ramgulam, the organization’s Deputy Director for Sustainable Tourism, will represent CTO, emphasizing the importance of linking culture, tourism and sustainable development. “Through this pavilion and our participation in dialogue, CTO is underscoring the importance of embedding resilience and environmental stewardship into our tourism sector,” he said.
CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper described the initiative as an opportunity for the region to present a unified message: “The Sustainability Pavilion allows us to tell the Caribbean’s story of resilience, innovation and leadership in sustainable tourism. Our presence at CARIFESTA demonstrates our commitment to advancing tourism that not only drives economic growth but also safeguards our cultural and environmental heritage.”
Highlighting Sustainable Practices and Green Initiatives
At the heart of the exhibition will be a showcase of environmental initiatives, training programs, and green tourism practices that CTO has been championing in recent years. The booth will feature a comprehensive display of sustainable tourism projects, from waste reduction and energy-efficient practices to the promotion of eco-friendly accommodations and tour experiences. This segment of the exhibition will illustrate how Caribbean nations can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility, making a compelling case for the importance of sustainable tourism for future generations.
Visitors to the booth will also have the chance to learn about CTO’s collaborative work with regional governments, local communities, and private sector stakeholders to integrate sustainability into the broader tourism strategy. By presenting a variety of case studies and success stories, the CTO will demonstrate how innovation, education, and collaboration are vital to the Caribbean’s journey towards sustainable tourism. These real-world examples will highlight the positive outcomes that can be achieved when environmental stewardship and tourism development go hand in hand.
The Sustainability Corner: CTO’s Commitment to Resilience
One of the key features of the CTO’s booth will be the Sustainability Corner, an area dedicated to showcasing the organization’s ongoing commitment to resilience and environmental stewardship in the region. In this section, visitors will be introduced to CTO’s regional initiatives focused on increasing the resilience of Caribbean tourism in the face of climate change, natural disasters, and other environmental challenges. The corner will delve into the CTO’s efforts to promote regenerative tourism, a concept aimed at not only minimizing the negative impacts of tourism but also restoring and enhancing local ecosystems and communities.
This area will also highlight CTO’s role in building regional capacity to manage the long-term sustainability of the Caribbean’s tourism sector. Through training programs, workshops, and partnerships with environmental organizations, CTO has been instrumental in empowering local stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices and mitigate the adverse effects of mass tourism. By providing hands-on tools and strategies for tourism operators and policymakers, CTO is ensuring that the tourism industry can thrive while minimizing its ecological footprint.
Promoting Future Events and Industry Collaboration
In addition to highlighting its sustainability efforts, the CTO’s involvement in CARIFESTA XV will provide a platform to inform attendees about upcoming events that support its mission to promote sustainable and responsible tourism. A major event on the horizon is the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), scheduled for September 2025 in Barbados. SOTIC is an annual event that brings together key industry figures, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore new trends, challenges, and opportunities within Caribbean tourism. This year’s conference will focus on strategies for achieving the region’s tourism objectives while adopting sustainable practices and addressing climate change impacts.
Additionally, the CTO will highlight the Tourism Human Resources Conference, set for October 2025 in the British Virgin Islands. This conference will focus on the essential role of human capital in fostering sustainable tourism, with a strong emphasis on workforce development, skill-building initiatives, and the need to cultivate a well-informed and skilled tourism workforce to drive the region’s sustainability goals.
A Vision for the Future
By participating in CARIFESTA XV, the CTO aims to reinforce its position as a regional leader dedicated to promoting sustainable and regenerative tourism in the Caribbean. This initiative exemplifies the organization’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and education in the tourism industry. Through its strategic engagement with CARICOM, local governments, and industry stakeholders, the CTO is paving the way for a more resilient, eco-conscious, and inclusive tourism sector across the Caribbean.
In summary, CTO’s participation in CARIFESTA XV will serve as a pivotal moment for the organization to not only showcase its efforts in sustainable tourism but also to highlight the broader regional vision for a greener, more responsible Caribbean tourism industry. With a focus on resilience, innovation, and education, the CTO continues to lead the charge towards a more sustainable and regenerative future for tourism in the Caribbean.

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Tags: barbados, Caribbean Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism, Travel News

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