The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has signed a two-year agreement with global nonprofit Conservation International to promote sustainable, nature-positive tourism across the region.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on June 11 at the CTO’s Barbados headquarters, outlines a framework to support conservation-focused tourism models that protect biodiversity, strengthen local economies, and improve community well-being.
This strategic partnership is part of the CTO’s Reimagine 2025–2027 Plan, which aims to build a more resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart tourism sector. Under the agreement, both organizations will collaborate on conservation investment, technical research, and support for local, community-led initiatives.
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Key goals include:
- Building capacity for sustainable tourism practices across the sector
- Encouraging investment in conservation efforts through tourism
- Expanding nature-based economic models throughout the Caribbean
“This partnership marks a meaningful step forward in our mission to build a regenerative, inclusive and climate-smart tourism sector,” said CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper.
Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice President of Field Programs at Conservation International, added that the collaboration will unlock the potential of tourism to drive environmental protection and economic resilience in Caribbean communities.
Barbados Leads by Example: Walkers Reserve
One standout example of nature-positive tourism in action is Walkers Reserve in Barbados. Once a large-scale sand quarry on the island’s rugged East Coast, Walkers has been transformed into the Caribbean’s largest ecological regeneration project—spanning 277 acres of rehabilitated land.
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Operated by the Walkers Institute for Regenerative Research, Education and Design (WIRRED), the reserve features restored wetlands, coastal grasslands, native forest zones, and wildlife habitats. These environments support a rich array of biodiversity, including migratory birds, native plant species, and the endemic Barbados Bullfinch.
In April 2025, Walkers Reserve launched Barbados’s first osprey nesting platform, equipped with a livestream camera to support research and education. The project, backed by the British High Commission, reflects the site’s broader commitment to wildlife monitoring and conservation.
Visitors can engage in eco-tourism experiences such as guided nature walks, birdwatching tours, regenerative agriculture workshops, and even a Bajan bee experience. Every tour directly contributes to local sustainability, with revenues reinvested into environmental stewardship and community development.
Walkers Reserve not only demonstrates how tourism can aid environmental recovery, but also serves as a scalable blueprint for regenerative tourism projects across the Caribbean.
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The CTO’s agreement with Conservation International, alongside success stories like Walkers Reserve, signals a regional shift toward redefining the future of Caribbean travel—where tourism growth supports ecological health, cultural integrity, and economic resilience.
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