3 Ways Tourism Can Build Climate Resilience in the Caribbean

by Carolee Chanona

After several months of being at a virtual standstill due to the pandemic —longer than was initially predicted — Caribbean tourism is long-awaiting business. The sudden freeze in travel has significantly impacted the region’s economy, which is expected to contract by at least 6.2% in 2020 according to the IMF. As the Caribbean tourism sector begins to recover, we should not forget that climate change still looms on the horizon. With a high dependency on tourism (the sector accounts for 13.9% of Caribbean gross domestic product), the Caribbean is at most risk if extreme weather events disrupt the sector’s recovery. Here’s three ways in which tourism can help build climate resilience in the Caribbean.

Climate change in the Caribbean

spotting turtles at south water caye

South Water Caye

As such, tourism stakeholders can approach this crisis as an opportunity; ultimately, to reset and embrace initiatives to increase the region’s resiliency against climate change. Besides, the Caribbean is particularly susceptible to climate change. Experts state that global warming will result in stronger storms and project a sea level rise between one to four feet (30 centimeters to 1.2 meters) by 2100. The reefs, coasts, and marine life on which all Caribbean countries depend on are under threat from coral bleaching, ocean acidification, rising sea temperature, and storms.

However, as seen during the pandemic, a joint effort between governments and private sectors is key to resiliency. And resiliency goes beyond grey infrastructure. While a hotel may be built to withstand stronger hurricanes, it also needs to ensure that the rest of its ecosystem — namely environment, local communities, and value chains — is strong enough to support the impacts of climate change. According to a recent International Monetary Fund study, natural disasters have particularly high human and economic costs in the region.

A focus on the environment

st. Hermans blue hole national park

St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park – the protected area that was named the Tourism Site of the Year in 2018.

Hoteliers can take action to increase the protection and resilience of valuable natural resources. The Belize Barrier Reef and mangroves not attract tourism; however, their roles go beyond by preserving marine biodiversity to also protect against waves and storm surges, mitigate floods, and reduce coastal erosion. The lodging sector can take the lead in working with local communities to develop short-term solutions (i.e., coral reconstruction, mangrove restoration, beach clean-up) while promoting long-term protection against extreme weather.

Working with local communities

Lebeha Drumming Center Garifuna

Lebeha Drumming Center. Photo by Hopkins Uncut

Travelers are actively seeking more authentic experiences. As such, hotels have the unique opportunity to empower local communities as part of a new tourism resiliency. Hotels can help visitors reduce their carbon footprint by sourcing sustainable local food and beverage and decrease the use of single-use plastics. In addition, the lodging sector can generate awareness on sustainability; partnering with small-scale farmers to provide tours and learning experiences for guests is a great start. By supporting sustainable fishing, aquaculture and climate smart local farming, hotels can indirectly contribute to the preservation of natural resources. This maps towards soil, water and forests, the conservation of biodiversity, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Emphasizing the value chain

Pottery making with the San Antonio Women’s Group. Photo by the Belize Tourism Board.

Train and support local communities: for example, West Resort, a sustainable tourism project financed by IDB Invest in Bocas del Toro, Panama, is expected to develop a sustainable local fishing program that will train fishermen, craftsmen and farmers from the surrounding region – one that is over 50% indigenous – who could become suppliers to the mixed-use project. Additionally, during a natural disaster, hotels can support local disaster relief programs; by serving both as shelters and logistics centers for employees, residents, and response teams. As seen in the response to COVID-19, hotels can become a vital hub with a far-reaching influence.

Tourism & Climate Resilience

The tourism industry is under significant distress. Not to mention, tourism is also pushing to safely re-open; only so may it start a gradual recovery process from the pandemic. Though liquidity remains the top priority, confronting the imminent threat that climate change poses is also undeniably necessary to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the sector. With the hurricane season looming around the corner, hotels have the added task of inducing demand; that is, in addition to re-building the sector so that it can prosper despite future uncertainties. Innovation often arises in periods of adversity; besides, this might be the time for a new resilient tourism to emerge for the Caribbean.

Three Ways In Which the Tourism Industry Can Help Build Climate Resilience in the Caribbean” Article adapted from  for IDB. Read here. Header photo by Oceana Belize.

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