CTO News

CTO to Showcase Sustainable Tourism Leadership at CARIFESTA XV

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (August 21, 2025) —The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will spotlight its leadership in sustainable tourism at CARIFESTA XV, the Caribbean Festival of the Arts, scheduled for August 22–31, 2025, in Barbados.

Working alongside the Local Organizing Committee and CARICOM, CTO will exhibit in the Sustainability Pavilion at the Grand Market in Waterford near the Botanical Gardens. The interactive booth will highlight the organization’s mission of advancing sustainable tourism development across the region, with displays on environmental initiatives, training programs, and green tourism practices.

A Sustainability Corner will showcase CTO’s regional commitment to resilience and environmental stewardship, while visitors will also learn about upcoming CTO events, including the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Barbados in September and the Tourism Human Resources Conference in the British Virgin Islands in October. In addition, a general information area will provide resources on research, tourism development, and other priority programs.

As part of its contribution to the festival’s dialogue, CTO will also participate in a panel discussion on sustainability and cultural integration. Narendra Ramgulam, the organization’s Deputy Director for Sustainable Tourism, will represent CTO, emphasizing the importance of linking culture, tourism and sustainable development. “Through this pavilion and our participation in dialogue, CTO is underscoring the importance of embedding resilience and environmental stewardship into our tourism sector,” he said.

CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper described the initiative as an opportunity for the region to present a unified message: “The Sustainability Pavilion allows us to tell the Caribbean’s story of resilience, innovation and leadership in sustainable tourism. Our presence at CARIFESTA demonstrates our commitment to advancing tourism that not only drives economic growth but also safeguards our cultural and environmental heritage.”

By participating in CARIFESTA XV, CTO reinforces its role as a regional leader committed to promoting sustainable and regenerative tourism through innovation, collaboration and education.

CTO Signs MOU with OECS to Advance Sustainable Tourism Development

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has formalised a significant partnership on July 24, 2025, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three prominent partners: AECOM Technical Services, Inc., Globus Energy Group Trinidad Ltd, and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). This MoU marks a pivotal step toward advancing sustainable development, infrastructure innovation, and clean energy collaboration across the Eastern Caribbean.

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CTO Appoints New Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (July 24, 2025) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the appointment of Trinidadian Narendra Ramgulam as Deputy Director, Sustainable Tourism — a newly created position aligned with the CTO’s strategic focus on sustainable and regenerative tourism development.

Ramgulam, who joined CTO last year as a Sustainable Tourism Consultant, has played an integral role in supporting the organization’s vision for a more resilient and inclusive tourism sector. His appointment was formally approved by the CTO Board of Directors and marks a significant milestone in advancing the CTO’s Reimagine Plan.

“We are pleased to welcome Narendra to this new leadership role,” said CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper. “His contributions over the past year have been instrumental, and we are confident that his expertise, innovation and deep passion for sustainability will continue to elevate our work across the region.”

In his new capacity, Ramgulam will lead the strategic development and implementation of initiatives aimed at promoting and enhancing sustainable and regenerative tourism across CTO member countries. His portfolio will include developing regional strategies and policies, strengthening stakeholder capacity, showcasing success stories and best practices, and monitoring the effectiveness of sustainability programs.

Ramgulam, a prolific researcher with 13 publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, previously served as Director of Tourism Product Development & Destination Management at the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, where his work led to prestigious sustainability awards and a strengthened reputation for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as a Postgraduate Coordinator and Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

He will officially assume his new role in mid-August and will be based at CTO Headquarters in Barbados.

CTO and Conservation International Join Forces to Advance Nature-Positive Tourism

BARBADOS (July 22, 2025) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has signed a landmark two-year agreement with global nonprofit Conservation International (CI) to promote nature-positive tourism throughout the Caribbean.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on June 11, 2025, at CTO’s headquarters in Barbados, establishes a framework for joint efforts to advance sustainable tourism models that protect biodiversity, strengthen local economies, and improve community well-being.

The partnership aligns with CTO’s Reimagine 2025–2027 Plan, which champions bold, resilient and inclusive strategies to shape the future of tourism in the region.

Collaborative actions under the MoU will focus on advancing sustainable, nature-positive tourism through conservation-driven investments, support for community-led initiatives that protect biodiversity and livelihoods, and technical cooperation in research, education and outreach. Key priorities include building sector capacity, encouraging tourism investment in conservation, and promoting resilient, nature-based economic models across the region.

“This partnership marks a meaningful step forward in our mission to build a regenerative, inclusive and climate-smart tourism sector,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the CTO. “By partnering with Conservation International, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the Caribbean’s rich natural heritage while uplifting the communities that depend on it.”

“This partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Organization marks an exciting step forward for Conservation International as we broaden our network of partners in the Caribbean. Working together with the CTO, we can unlock the potential of nature-positive tourism to protect the region’s oceans and coastlines, support sustainable blue economy growth, and empower communities to thrive in the face of climate change,” said Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice President, Field Programs at Conservation International.​

The agreement underscores growing momentum for regenerative tourism and strengthens the Caribbean’s position as a global leader in sustainable travel and environmental stewardship.