2024 CTO Sustainable tourism conference set to be held in Grenada

Multiple tourism industry experts are expected to converge on Grenada for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, which will be conducted with the theme “5 Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability”, from the 22nd of April 2024 to the 24th of April 2024.

This event will help experts share ideas and have groundbreaking conversations that have the potential to decide the future of tourism in the Caribbean. The region looks to tourism as a major economic driver, thus making the industry immensely important, which is why it is necessary that experts from the region, as well as the rest of the world, have the opportunity to converse on multiple topics of interest.

To be specific, the event will focus on what have been described as the 5Ps, which include People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership. These are considered the elementary tenets or motivating factors behind the Caribbean tourism industry and guide the approach taken by nations in the region as they look forward to a more prosperous future.

The idea is to initiate changes to the industry which promote resilience, inclusivity and most importantly, a sustainable future for the tourism sector in the Caribbean.

The Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), which is often referred to as the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, is one of the largest and most prominent forums, when it comes to facilitating networking and the exchange of knowledge between Ministers and Directors of Tourism, business executives and various other professionals involved in the tourism industry.

The conference is an intriguing, large scale event, complete with presentations by experts, moderated panel discussions, Q&A segments, masterclasses and thematic break-out sessions, which are of great benefit to the individuals involved.

Highly regarded professionals and leaders with a penchant for sustainability will be giving their thoughts and invaluable insights with regards to the best strategies and practices to allow tourism in the Caribbean to benefit the environment and local communities, as it continues to grow and prosper.

The 5 P’s and the ability of this approach to mould the future of Caribbean Tourism in a positive manner will be an important topic of discussion and visitors can expect interesting, thought-provoking discussions regarding the same.

Grenada’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations have prompted the nation to come up with a year full of events, one of which is the Sustainable Tourism Conference. This also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the ‘Pure Grenada Brand’ campaign, which makes the events even more special.

Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority, Petra Roach, stated the following, “We are quite pleased with the experiences we’re curating in Grenada – from insightful sessions and study tours to immersive, authentic adventures across our tri-island nation.”

“We eagerly look forward to showcasing the transformative impact of sustainable tourism and underscoring the importance of protecting and preserving our natural and cultural heritage for the tourism sector and future generations of Grenadians.”

The Sustainable Tourism Conference 2024 is looking to tackle the challenges faced by the tourism industry head on through collective action, so as to ensure that the industry continues to thrive in the region.

Sustainability frameworks, strategies, climate risk, waste reduction, preserving the environment, resilience, contributions to businesses and bridging the digital divide to optimise technological innovations for the empowerment of people are going to be topics of interest.

The subsequent discussions are expected to bring great clarity and a sense of collective responsibility to those that are a part of the event.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the conference to be put on the back burner but after a span of four years, it is returning as a part of the Earth Day celebrations which are to be held on the 22nd of April.

CTO’s Secretary-General and CEO, Dona Regis-Prosper, delineated her thoughts on the conference, “Grenada’s focus on socially and environmentally responsible development makes it an ideal destination for the Sustainable Tourism Conference.”

She went on to state the following, “We believe that Grenada’s commitment to sustainable tourism and its beautiful, unspoilt landscapes will provide an inspiring backdrop for meaningful discussions and provide a compelling showcase of the destination’s sustainability initiatives. Join us in Grenada this April to be a part of this transformative conversation that will chart the course for the sustainability and growth of Caribbean tourism.”

A salient feature of the event is that it brings together a variety of individuals from various national, regional, and international organisations, as well as sustainable development partners, academia, students, and media from North America, the UK, Europe, and the Caribbean, giving all of them one platform to share their thoughts and experiences on matters of great significance to the tourism industry of the region and the world on the whole.

The conference will have plenary sessions, experiential field trips or study tours and networking events, in the lead up to the presentation ceremony for CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Awards.