WTTC: Caribbean tourism grows, but at an environmental cost 

28-02-23

Between 2010 and 2019, the region's Travel & Tourism sector decoupled its economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. The organisation's data shows that, during this period, while the contribution of travel and tourism to Caribbean GDP grew by an average of 3%, greenhouse gases increased by only 1.4%.

According to WTTC's Economic Impact report, the Caribbean, the most tourism-dependent region in the world, achieved a recovery of almost 37% in its contribution to GDP by 2021, reaching almost US$40 billion. However, this contribution is still 36 per cent short of pre-pandemic levels.

During the same year, in addition to being the second most advanced region in the Travel & Tourism sector's recovery, behind only South Asia, Caribbean tourism generated only 1.4% of the sector's total global emissions.

Regionally, the sector was responsible for 17.8% of total emissions, 8% below the figures recorded in 2019.

Julia Simpson, President and CEO of WTTC, said: "The Caribbean is the region of the world most dependent on international tourism. The region's economy and future depend on a thriving tourism sector and greater public-private partnerships.

"We can now provide Caribbean governments with the comprehensive information they need to achieve a more sustainable and resilient Travel & Tourism sector.

"Growth in the tourism sector can be matched with action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but to achieve our goals, we must take bigger and bolder steps to reduce our absolute emissions.

"We need government support to accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuels and renewable energy sources, which will have a significant impact on our footprint."

Among the actions WTTC has taken towards gradually reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the launch of the Net Zero roadmap for the Travel & Tourism sector, which contains initiatives that will enable the industry to stop generating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The agency also continues to publish groundbreaking social and environmental research data as part of its Social and Environmental Impact Report.