WTTC president advocates for sustainability in the Caribbean

28-10-22

The president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) wants a strong focus on environmental sustainability throughout the Caribbean.

In a recorded address to stakeholders gathered at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Travel Forum in San Juan, Puerto Rico this month, Julia Simpson endorsed policy solutions such as government incentives that reward businesses that adhere to environmental standards and have green certification.

The global travel leader also called for the adoption of technological advances to help the travel and tourism sector decarbonise. "Transport and accommodation providers can invest in sustainable fuels, green designs and renewable technologies," she advised, while asserting that climate change has a disproportionate impact on the Caribbean and "we need the global community to work together to mitigate its effects and reverse biodiversity loss."

"For many people conservation is not the only answer now. We actually have to restore things and not just conserve what we have left. Many of these technologies already exist today. The question is how to use them on a large scale," he said.

Praising the importance of the inaugural CHTA forum, which brought together representatives from the public and private sectors for a day of presentations and dialogue, Simpson reasoned that despite the many challenges ahead, he is confident in the Caribbean and the travel and tourism sector.

But he cautioned, "We have to speak with one voice and, at times, put aside our differences. And if we do all this well, there is a big prize. Some of you may have seen a fantastic WTTC report in which we forecast that over the next 10 years the region could achieve an annual growth rate of 6.7%. This would make the sector worth almost $100 billion by 2032 and bring 1.3 million new jobs to these beautiful islands. A monumental achievement that is within our reach. It is up to all of us. 

During his speech, Simpson reiterated the call for a regional airline to help boost domestic and family travel and protect travel and tourism from the region's over-reliance on international visitors.

He also defended the need for visa flexibility, praising Barbados for its "Welcome Stamp", which allows people to stay and work remotely for 12 months: "These visitors were not only able to enjoy life in the Caribbean, but supported local businesses and the economic recovery of the country.

While the post-pandemic recovery of tourism in the Caribbean has largely been a success, Simpson expressed concern about the challenges of inter-island air connectivity, the rising cost of air travel for visitors to the Caribbean, climate change and the loss of nature. "But I am optimistic. I believe we can overcome these challenges.