Belize brings together 29 countries and leads the conversation on the future of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean

The event, organized by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) together with the Caribbean Tourism Organization, brings together ministers, public policy officials and international experts under the motto "Tourism in full color", a proposal that integrates the blue, green, orange economies and beyond into a sustainable and holistic development model.

During the inauguration, Belize's Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler, highlighted the country's natural and cultural wealth, from the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere to its tropical forests and cultural diversity, as pillars of a tourism industry that, in the Caribbean, represents on average 32% of GDP, exceeding even 90% in some small island states.

The conference program unfolds over three and a half days with an agenda that includes ministerial dialogues, plenary sessions, master classes and exchange spaces focused on key issues such as climate resilience, blue and green finance, regenerative tourism and the strengthening of cultural and creative industries.

In this space, the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA) participates as a regional actor, promoting the exchange of experiences and the identification of opportunities for collaboration between the Caribbean and Central America around more sustainable, resilient and inclusive tourism models.

In this context, the so-called blue, green, and orange economies refer to different drivers of sustainable development: the blue economy, linked to the responsible use of marine and coastal resources; the green economy, focused on ecosystem conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources; and the orange economy, which values ​​cultural and creative industries as generators of identity, innovation, and economic development. Their integration offers a more comprehensive and coherent vision of tourism in the region.

Beyond the conference halls, Belize projects its leadership through field experiences that allow delegates to witness sustainable tourism initiatives in action firsthand. From the Hol Chan Marine Reserve to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, and from Garifuna cultural experiences to tours focused on cacao and Mayan heritage, the country presents itself as a living laboratory where sustainability translates into concrete practices.

With this meeting, Belize not only convenes the region and the world, but also reaffirms its role as a benchmark in building a more conscious, competitive and community-centered tourism, while also promoting greater collaboration between the Caribbean and Central America to address the challenges and opportunities of the sector.

Source: CATA.