CTO Presents 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Award Winners at Belize Conference

by Bruce Parkinson May 05, 2026

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has unveiled the winners of the 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards, spotlighting innovation in the region’s journey toward sustainable and regenerative tourism.

Honourees 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 honour individuals, organizations and destinations driving positive change through environmental stewardship, community empowerment, cultural preservation and climate resilience.

The awards were presented last week 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.

Here are the award winners:

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

Turneffe Flats, Belize, received the program’s highest honour, 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.

Candace Phillips of the Guyana Tourism Authority accepts the Community-Based Tourism Award on behalf of Guyana Inni Lodge — Toka Village. Also pictured: Charlene Drakes, Manager, Stakeholder Engagements, Caribbean Region Carnival Corporation, and Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, CTO.

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.

Larisa McBean of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund accepts the Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award from Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization, on behalf of the REDI II Program.

Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award (Sponsored by CTO)

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) – REDI II Program, Jamaica, was recognized for its exceptional contribution to tourism resilience and disaster risk management. The REDI II Program 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 honoured 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.”

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).