The Caribbean reinforces its environmental commitment on Earth Day

In the context of Earth Day 2026, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the Caribbean's natural and human resources, aligning themselves with this year's theme: "Our Power, Our Planet".

Both organizations emphasized the key role played by regional and local actors in promoting both individual and collective actions aimed at preserving and strengthening the Caribbean's environmental surroundings, one of the main assets of the tourism industry.

“Earth Day is a reminder that the Caribbean’s greatest strength—its natural beauty—is also a shared responsibility,” said Sanovnik Destang, president of CHTA. He noted that more and more companies in the sector are adopting more efficient practices, reducing their environmental footprint, and strengthening their ties with local communities.

CHTA and CAST have a long history of working together with the regional tourism industry, including collaboration with 32 national hotel associations, government agencies, and multilateral organizations. One of the central focuses of their work has been preparedness for crises and natural disasters, improving the sector's response and recovery capacity.

Through training programs led by CAST, hotels and tourism companies have incorporated Environmental Management Systems, contributing to reducing the impact of their activity on the environment.

For her part, Karolin Troubetzkoy, interim president of CAST, emphasized that this year's motto reinforces the shared responsibility between individuals, companies and governments: "True progress happens when we work together, sharing good practices and driving innovation."

Together with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), both entities have also promoted initiatives to reduce energy consumption in tourism, encouraging operational efficiency and the use of renewable energy.

Furthermore, they are making progress in multiple key areas for regional sustainability, such as waste management, health and safety, human resource development, the circular economy, and the conservation of coral reefs.

Fuente: Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) / Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST)