Speeches

Good morning to everyone,

Allow me to begin by extending a special greeting to:

Her Excellency Chairmé Haakmat-Konigferander, Chair of the Special Committee on Sustainable Tourism and Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to CARICOM and the Association of Caribbean States;

Ms. Wendy Li, National Programs Director of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council;

Mr. Jorge Moller, Program Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council;

Distinguished guests,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to this space for knowledge exchange on an issue that is undoubtedly central to both the present and the future of our region.

My sincere thanks to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) for working alongside us to bring this webinar together.

Allow me to begin by recalling who we are.

The Association of Caribbean States-ACS is an intergovernmental organization that brings together 35 States and territories of the Greater Caribbean.  Everyone that touches the Caribbean Sea.

A region that is diverse, complex, and deeply interconnected, yet bound together by a shared element: the Caribbean Sea.

That sea, which connects us and shapes our identity as a region, is also one of the pillars of our tourism.

A privileged space on this planet. A natural and cultural paradise that the world is eager to experience.

But this is not only about beauty. It is about what this heritage represents for our societies.

In the Greater Caribbean, tourism is more than just a sector. It is the backbone of our economies.

It creates jobs, energizes territories, and connects communities to the world. For many of our countries, it is a primary source of income and a tangible pathway to development.

We want to share our paradise with the world. But we must also change the conditions under which we do so, because the current model is not delivering the benefits we need — not for everyone, and not in the way those benefits should be distributed.

The tourism model that has prevailed across our region has generated tensions, risks, and inequalities that we can no longer overlook.

It has placed pressure on fragile ecosystems. It has deepened inequalities. And it has had real impacts on our communities and cultural identities.

The same sea that unites us also reminds us of our vulnerability.

This is why discussing tourism in the Greater Caribbean today requires a shift in perspective.

Sustainability can no longer be treated as an added value, an aspirational concept, or a box to be checked.

It is, in fact, a strategic condition — because this is not only about environmental sustainability, but social sustainability as well.

It requires us to recognize that our communities sustain the tourism sector, yet do not have fair access to the benefits it generates.

It also requires ensuring that women, young people, indigenous peoples, afro-descendant populations, and local communities can benefit equitably from this activity.

At the same time, protecting our ecosystems cannot fall on a single actor.

It is a shared responsibility — among governments, the private sector, communities, and those who visit our region.

We are not starting from zero. Our countries have already made clear commitments in political declarations of the Association of Caribbean States. The challenge now is to translate those commitments into reality — in our territories, our decisions, and our everyday practices.

This brings us directly to the relevance of today’s discussion.

Advancing sustainable tourism requires more than intention — it requires tools.

The work of the GSTC has become a global reference for defining sustainability standards in tourism. But more importantly, it stands out for its ability to translate principles into practice.

It provides measurable criteria, practical tools, and concrete guidance for destination management.

And this is precisely what we need as a region: instruments that allow us to adapt, implement, and scale solutions within our own contexts.

From the Association of Caribbean States, we seek to contribute to this effort by creating spaces like this one, bringing tools closer to our members, and fostering stronger regional articulation around a shared vision of sustainable tourism.

Building sustainable tourism destinations is, by necessity, a collective effort.

Today, we have a short but highly meaningful opportunity ahead of us. We will hear about standards, tools, and experiences, and explore approaches, methodologies, and opportunities for collaboration.

But beyond what is shared, I invite you to engage in this dialogue with one question in mind:

What from today’s discussion can be translated into concrete action within our own contexts?

Perhaps a tool that can be adapted to a destination. Perhaps a criterion that can inform public policy. Or perhaps a partnership that can begin to take shape.

Because we must move beyond broad statements and advance toward concrete decisions, consistent practices, and meaningful collaboration.

If this space succeeds in activating even a single concrete action, then it will have fulfilled its purpose.

Thank you very much.