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April 26, 2024

From April 22 to 24, 2024, the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Conference was held in Grenada. This exceptional event promoted Study Tour initiatives aimed at encouraging innovative sustainable practices in the region. 

The event, named Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2024), stood out for offering a series of exclusive Study Tours, reflecting the central theme of the 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose, and Partnership. These tours were carefully selected to provide participants with an exceptional opportunity to explore innovative sustainability practices, aiming to stimulate transformative actions for a more resilient and sustainable future in the Caribbean. 

Jointly organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Government of Grenada through the Grenada Tourism Authority, STC 2024 welcomed a wide range of participants, including government officials, tourism professionals, environmentalists, media members, and researchers. They discussed how to leverage the rich natural and cultural resources of the Caribbean through innovative approaches to create unique and sustainable tourism experiences and presented practical solutions to address emerging challenges in the sector. 

This significant contribution to the conference allowed participants to visit various sites and interact with local communities, gaining direct knowledge of best practices in sustainable tourism management, environmental conservation efforts, and community engagement. 

The wide range of Study Tours included, for example, the Underwater Sculpture Park and the Grand Anse Artificial Reef Tour. Guests, guided by Aquanauts Grenada, had the opportunity to explore the intricate ecosystem of the Underwater Sculpture Park and the Grand Anse Artificial Reef, learning about sustainable practices aimed at protecting and preserving these important marine habitats. 

Alternatively, the Grand Etang Nature Tour, led by Dr. Guido Marcelle, a botanical expert, allowed participants to delve into the lush rainforests around Grand Etang Lake, discovering and exploring Grenada’s rich biodiversity and rainforest conservation efforts. 

Led by Ras Ginga, an elder of the Nyahbinghi Tribe, the Rastafari Roots Exploration was another unique Study Tour proposal. Guests experienced Rastafari culture firsthand, learning about the community’s organic living and agricultural practices, along with tasting local culinary delights. 

Last but not least, the tour of Mount Parnassus Plantation and Cocoa Pod Botanicals. Experts Michael Jessamy and Tricia Simon guided participants through the cocoa and spice plantation, illustrating innovative applications of these crops in cosmetics and health products. 

The conference also hosted a renowned list of speakers who shared their experience in developing more sustainable tourism. The debates, divided into several sessions over the days, addressed numerous important topics. 

Key themes included “Planet: Preserving Paradise – Nurturing Nature for a Sustainable Future,” focusing on the interconnection between environmental health and human well-being, highlighting the urgency of finding tangible solutions and practical interventions to ensure a more sustainable future. The People theme, titled “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Leveraging Equity, Education, and Empowerment in Tourism,” explored the crucial role of diversity, equity, inclusion, and education in tourism, showing how these elements can contribute to sustainable development. The Prosperity theme: “Pathways to Prosperity for a Sustainable Future” hosted representatives from major donor agencies, regional and international development organizations, and financial institutions that support sustainable development and tourism in the Caribbean. The Purpose theme, titled “Purpose-Driven Tourism: Uniting Purpose and Passion for Sustainable Tourism,” allowed participants to explore the intersection between purpose and passion in sustainable tourism. The Partnership theme emphasized the importance of relationships between public, private, and community stakeholders. The debate, titled “Synergizing Sustainability: Promoting Public, Private, and Community Partnerships in Tourism,” focused on the transformative power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in promoting sustainability within the tourism industry, aiming to chart new paths toward inclusive and responsible tourism development through mutual collaboration. 

Other interventions and sessions were dedicated to Grenada’s 50th anniversary of independence, highlighting the nation’s successes in promoting indigenous excellence through public and private partnerships. A Master Class, focused on “Building Resilience through the 5 Ps: Strategies for Resilience and Competitiveness in Tourism,” highlighted innovative strategies to increase the resilience of the Caribbean tourism sector, focusing on environmental sustainability, global disaster management, variability, and climate change. A panel discussion on the market and industry addressed policies, trends, and new developments shaping the current tourism landscape. A new Masterclass focused on “Fu-Tech Tourism: Demystifying Myths and Exploring Risks, Benefits, and New Opportunities,” which allowed experts to discuss the future of technology in tourism. An important debate among some ministers of the Government of Grenada discussed modern challenges and possible solutions related to sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. The session was moderated by Bevan Springer, president of the Marketplace Excellence Corporation. 

After two days of intense debates, the Grenada Tourism Conference concluded with a decisive session titled “Convergence Point: Uniting Perspectives for Future Tourism.” This final session brought together diverse and authoritative voices to discuss strategies shaping the future of tourism in the Caribbean, providing an in-depth view of the challenges and opportunities facing Grenada’s tourism sector, promoting constructive dialogue towards a more sustainable and resilient future. 

STC 2024 benefited from the support of prominent partners and sponsors, including LINK Strategic Partners, Little Caribbean NYC, Royal Caribbean International, Silversands Grenada Beach Resort, and Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada Resort. Airline partners interCaribbean Airways and Virgin Atlantic also facilitated international participation. 

Sponsors of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards included the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, the Grenada Investment Development Corporation, the International Institute of Tourism Studies at the GW School of Business, and the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards. Media partners registered for the conference included Breaking Travel News, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Media Corporation, and Wanderlust. 

Stay updated for other news and updates from Grenada Conference on Cruising Journal. 

Mara Di Dio 

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