Who Cares About the Future Sustainability of Caribbean Resorts?

June 12, 2026 - 05:20

The Caribbean Tourism Organization has long promoted itself as a guardian of sustainable travel in the region. But a closer look at its sustainability awards program raises a difficult question: does the organization truly care about the future of land-based resorts, or is it more focused on protecting the cruise industry?

The awards, which are meant to recognize environmental and social responsibility, are sponsored by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. This creates an obvious conflict of interest. The cruise industry has a well-documented record of environmental violations, including illegal dumping and air pollution. Yet it now holds the purse strings for an award meant to honor sustainability.

Beyond the awards, the structural imbalance in Caribbean tourism policy is even more troubling. Cruise lines enjoy significant tax advantages that land-based hotels do not. They pay minimal port fees, avoid property taxes, and face few environmental regulations. Hotels, meanwhile, carry the full burden of local taxes, labor costs, and environmental compliance. This disparity makes it harder for resorts to invest in sustainable upgrades, while cruise ships continue to operate with little accountability.

If the Caribbean Tourism Organization truly wanted to support sustainable resort tourism, it would advocate for fair tax policies and distance itself from cruise industry sponsorship. Instead, by accepting cruise money for its sustainability awards, it sends a clear message: the future of Caribbean resorts is not the priority. The region's long-term environmental and economic health deserves better than an award funded by the very industry that undermines it.