The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference wrapped up on a high note last week in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, bringing together tourism leaders from across the region and beyond under the theme “Tourism in Full Color: Integrating Blue, Green, Orange and Beyond Economies into Sustainable Planning and Development.”

Hosted by the Belize Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations, the conference provided a dynamic platform for dialogue, innovation and collaboration.

Ministers, directors of tourism, policymakers, private sector representatives, NGO leaders, sustainability experts and students took part in forward-looking discussions on climate resilience, cultural preservation, community empowerment and financing for sustainable growth.

From high-level ministerial panels to immersive field visits across Belize’s natural and cultural sites, the event reinforced a central message: the Caribbean possesses both the vision and the practical tools to lead the world in sustainable tourism development.

Participants spotlighted actionable strategies across the blue, green, orange, yellow, purple, silver and black economies, with strong emphasis on implementation, partnerships and measurable results.

More than 350 delegates from about 30 countries attended STC 2026, held at the Grand Caribe and Sunset Caribe resorts. The rich discussions and outcomes strengthened the region’s commitment to building a more resilient, inclusive and future-ready tourism sector.