SUSTAINABLE Caribbean The Bahamas

Let’s first address the elephant in the room when talking about sustainable travel and heading to the jewelled islands of the Caribbean Sea: the realistic way for us Brits to reach the Caribbean is by flying, and aviation’s impact on the climate is well reported and discussed. The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) May 2023 report stated that travel and tourism of a decline in tourism when its contribution to GDP dropped a staggering 58%, higher than the global average, and resulted in the loss of 680,000 travel and tourism jobs equating to almost a quarter of all jobs. was accountable for 8.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with international aviation contributing 13.8% of all travel and tourism emissions. Some would say that flying anywhere is not acceptable.

However, beyond environmental protection, we believe that talk around sustainability must also factor in social equity and economic viability. The employment and living standards that are elevated by tourism, alongside the restorative joy of travel and the mind-broadening benefits of being exposed to other peoples, places and cultures, are important to a balanced view.

Tourism is one of the Caribbean’s major economic sectors – so much so that in 2022 the WTTC found that, globally, the Caribbean is most reliant on travel and tourism. During the pandemic we saw the effects

With tourism such an integral part of the region’s economic stability, it’s essential to protect both the natural resources and the futures of the people in these countries. We need to head to their shores and support them, so let us help you to make your next trip there as

Sustainable Caribbean ©CHARITABLE TRAVEL 2023. CHARITABLE TRAVELLER is part of CHARITABLE TRAVEL, Fundraising Futures Community Interest Company, Contingent Works, Broadway Buildings, Elmfield Road, Bromley, BR1 1LW, UK. Putting our profit to work supporting the work of charitable causes. T: 020 3092 1288 E: bookings@charitable.travel W: charitable.travel. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, CHARITABLE TRAVEL cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. CEO: Melissa Tilling; MARKETING: Ally Ware, Rosie Buddell, Adam Pedley & Maddy Foot; SALES: Ali Nicholls; MAGAZINE EDITOR: Rebecca Miles (editor@charitable.travel); MAGAZINE DESIGNER: Claire Gates. Cover image: Barbados. All images supplied by the destination unless otherwise stated.

HOW TO GET AROUND considerately

Pick pedal, paddle or sail to explore the areas around the place you’ll stay; take the local buses and book locally operated tours where you join other guests and spread the carbon impact. If you’re going to rent a car request an EV vehicle – The Bahamas in particular heavily encourages their use.

HOW TO STAY responsibly

Look for hotels with sustainable practices. No single-use plastics and limited laundry is a minimum. Don’t forget to ‘buy local’ and stay at locally owned, locally operated hotels who source their food and furniture locally. Check their certification too –let us help you to find places genuine in their sustainability. Lastly, opt for ‘farm to fork’ restaurants that buy local to reduce their emissions.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE ethically

We’ve shared lots of things to see and do in Sustainable Caribbean that consider responsible travel. Think about wildlife protection and no-touch tourism – wildlife should be wildlife, unless it’s been rescued, and use your choices to also support the local heritage and culture for future generations.

sustainable as possible.

This Sustainable Caribbean supplement helps you consider how to explore the islands of the Caribbean responsibly, choose where to stay, and the things to do when you experience the hospitality, land and seascapes of the incredible destinations we are presenting here.

Lastly, as you know, every holiday booked through our social enterprise Charitable Travel enables a free 5% donation to charity – so why not choose a charity that protects the environment, marine conservations, education or the development of the Caribbean?