Caribbean Leaders Honored: CTO Unveils 2026 Sustainable Tourism Award Winners
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has officially announced the winners of the 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards, celebrating the region's most impactful innovations in regenerative travel.
The ceremony, held on May 1 during the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2026) in Belize, recognized pioneers from Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands for their commitment to protecting the archipelago's natural and cultural assets.
Since its inception in 2000, the awards program has served as a benchmark for environmental stewardship and community empowerment. This year’s honorees demonstrate a sophisticated shift from basic sustainability toward regenerative models that provide a net-positive impact on local ecosystems and economies.
Profiles in Innovation and Resilience
The program's highest honor, the Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award, was granted to Turneffe Flats in Belize. The property was lauded for its measurable success in environmental management and community engagement, proving that a world-class visitor experience can coexist with long-term ecological prosperity. Owner Craig Hayes accepted the award, which was sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
In the realm of social impact, Guyana Inni Lodge (Toka Village) received the Community-Based Tourism Award. This initiative was recognized for its community-led model, which ensures that the social and economic benefits of tourism flow directly to local residents while offering travelers an authentic cultural experience.
Addressing the region's vulnerability to external shocks, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) was honored with the Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award for its REDI II Programme. The project highlights a comprehensive approach to disaster risk management, strengthening the capacity of tourism-dependent communities to recover from economic and climatic setbacks.
Finally, the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust secured the Regenerative Tourism Award. This honor recognizes efforts that go beyond "doing no harm" to actively restoring ecosystems and preserving cultural heritage. These winners will be immortalized in the CTO’s Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism Good Practices database, serving as a roadmap for the region's sustainable investment through the remainder of the decade.
"This year’s awardees represent the very best of our region’s innovation, resilience, and commitment to sustainability," stated Narendra Ramgulam, CTO’s Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism. As the Caribbean continues to navigate geopolitical and climatic challenges in 2026, these leaders prove that tourism remains a powerful force for global good.
