CTO News

CTO Presents 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Award Winners

SAN PEDRO, Belize (May 1, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has unveiled the winners of the 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards, spotlighting top-tier innovation in the region’s journey toward sustainable and regenerative tourism. Honorees from Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos Islands were recognized for their leadership in pioneering sustainable tourism practices that protect the Caribbean’s natural and cultural assets.

Established in 2000, the awards honor individuals, organizations and destinations driving positive change through environmental stewardship, community empowerment, cultural preservation and climate resilience. This year’s winners underscore the Caribbean’s continued leadership in building a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector.

The awards were presented on Thursday during CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in Belize, where regional leaders, industry stakeholders and international partners gathered to share best practices and advance the sustainability agenda.

Representatives of the winning organizations were present to accept their awards, including Craig Hayes, Owner, Turneffe Flats in Belize; Candace Phillips, Senior Manager of Product Development atthe Guyana Tourism Authority; Larisa McBean, Tourism Specialist at the Jamaica Social Investment Fund; and Dr. Jasmine Thomas, Executive Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust.

Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award (Sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd./Belize Island Holdings Ltd.)

Turneffe Flats, Belize, received the program’s highest honor, recognizing comprehensive and measurable sustainable tourism practices. The property demonstrated excellence across environmental management, community engagement and innovation, delivering a world-class visitor experience while contributing to long-term sustainability.

Community-Based Tourism Award (Sponsored by Carnival Corporation & plc)

Guyana Inni Lodge — Toka Village, Guyana, was recognized for its community-led tourism model, placing local people at the center of development. The initiative delivers authentic visitor experiences while generating tangible social and economic benefits for the community.

Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award (Sponsored by CTO)

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) – REDI II Programme, Jamaica, was recognized for its exceptional contribution to tourism resilience and disaster risk management. The REDI II Programme demonstrates a comprehensive approach to strengthening tourism-dependent communities and enhancing their capacity to withstand and recover from shocks.

Regenerative Tourism Award (Sponsored by CTO)

The Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust, Turks and Caicos Islands, was honored for initiatives that go beyond sustainability to create net-positive impacts. The organization has demonstrated leadership in ecosystem restoration, cultural preservation and community engagement, setting a benchmark for regenerative tourism in the Caribbean.

“The Caribbean continues to demonstrate that tourism can be a powerful force for good, driving economic growth while protecting our natural and cultural heritage,” said Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism at CTO. “This year’s awardees represent the very best of our region’s innovation, resilience and commitment to sustainability.”

The winners were recognized during the ceremony and will also be featured in CTO’s Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism Good Practices database.

STC 2026, hosted by the Belize Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations and the Belize Tourism Board, was sponsored by Carnival Corporation & plc and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd./Belize Island Holdings Ltd. (BIHL).

Additional Belizean sponsors and supporters include Belize Bank, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), Belize Water Services, Border Management Agency, Bowen & Bowen, Courts, Development Finance Corporation, DigiBusiness, Gongora Construction and Supply, Greater Belize Media, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Insurance Corporation of Belize (ICB), LED Belize, National Institute of Culture and History, Protected Areas Conservation Trust, smart!, and Wine Smith Ltd.