left to right Thérèse Yarde, Caribbean Fellow/Senior Director, Caribbean SIDS Programming, Conservation International; Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice President, Field Programs, Conservation International; Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization; and Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO’s Director of Resource Mobilization and Development
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has signed a landmark two year agreement with global nonprofit Conservation International (CI) to promote nature-positive tourism throughout the Caribbean.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on June 11, 2025, at CTO’s headquarters in Barbados, establishes a framework for joint efforts to advance sustainable tourism models that protect biodiversity, strengthen local economies, and improve community well-being.
The partnership aligns with CTO’s Reimagine 2025–2027 Plan, which champions bold, resilient and inclusive strategies to shape the future of tourism in the region.
Collaborative actions under the MoU will focus on advancing sustainable, nature-positive tourism through conservation driven investments, support for community-led initiatives that protect biodiversity and livelihoods, and technical cooperation in research, education and outreach.
Key priorities include building sector capacity, encouraging tourism investment in conservation, and promoting resilient, nature based economic models across the region.
The agreement underscores growing momentum for regenerative tourism and strengthens the Caribbean’s position as a global leader in sustainable travel and environmental stewardship
