The planet is grappling with climate change — warming and rising seas, extreme weather, water shortages as a result of man-made actions. Worldwide, developed countries are working to find solutions, spending millions of dollars toward mitigation strategies. But, how are poorer counties dealing with this global emergency, one they have not contributed to in significant ways? How can they halt the impending disaster with limited funding? One small eastern Caribbean island is taking bold steps.
Adrian Thomas, Minister for Tourism Creative Economy & CultureRecognising the unprecedented impact of climate change on the Caribbean, Grenada is leading the way in creative sustainable systems to help stem the negative effects on the island that depends on tourism for survival. In fact, since tourism is the major revenue source for the region Grenada’s efforts can serve as a blueprint for its neighbours.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, held in Grenada 22-24 April 2024, highlighted how the island is working to protect its people, environment, and undersea life.
Produced in partnership with the Grenada Tourism Authority, the conference focused on five overarching principles that bolster tourism – People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose, and Partnership — with the aim of stimulating transformative action towards a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for Caribbean tourism.
For example, as an artificial reef, Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park, created by Jason de Caires Taylor and installed in 2006, has helped to invigorate damaged and dying surrounding reefs as well as attracting marine life. This underwater site has also become a popular snorkelling tourist attraction.
A similar project, the Grenada Artificial Reef Project created in 2013 by Dive Grenada, is also helping to bring back life to the coral reef through the construction of cinder block pyramid-like structures submerged to create an artificial reef system. With 49 of these pyramids placed in the sea around the island, they are attracting myriad marine life and acting as a natural reef corridor, thus repairing what has been impacted by climate change, storm damage, and overfishing.
The 3000+ acres of the Grand Etang Forest Reserve, with its central lake created by an extinct volcano, is Grenada’s oldest and largest protected area. It is home to a variety of birds, animals, and rare orchids and is the island’s major inland tourist attraction. Additionally, these lands serve as a vital water source to surrounding communities. But, devastated by hurricanes in the early 2000s, the reserve has naturally mended itself and is cared for under the Grand Etang Forest Management Plan to help protect it while meeting the needs of those it serves.
Of course, the social and economic health of its people are also an integral part of making tourism sustainable. Sustainable tourism in action means looking beyond the usual to create economic benefit for all. It’s not just about hotel workers, restaurant staff, or official tourist taxis. Tourism must also embrace the non-traditional such as hair braiders, beachside massage therapists, or Rastafari giving talks/tours on natural living. Certainly not unique to Grenada, the region is thinking outside the box.
Said Adrian Thomas, Minister for Tourism Creative Economy & Culture:
“Whatever project this government is embarking on must reach the people. Therefore, we will be backing community tourism where the people will feel a part of it. Hospitality doesn’t end in the hotel. It has to be in the community, and Grenada is noted for that.”
Indeed, it takes working together as one Caribbean region to create sustainable tourism across the board. As Sandals Resorts International’s Executive Chairman Adam Stewart remarked:
“We have to recognise that we are not competing with each other. Antigua is not competing with St. Lucia, St. Lucia is not competing with Grenada, Grenada is not competing with Jamaica. The world says Caribbean; they put us together. We are in the same pot whether we like it or not. We’re competing against France, Italy, Germany, London, Paris, Singapore, Dubai. What we can offer differently, I promise you they can’t do it.”
