The ways in which people around the globe choose to travel has changed immensely in recent years. Any tourism expert would corroborate that the experiences travelers are seeking out are more ‘green’ than ever before. Many attribute this shift to the rise in environmentalism in the 1970s and 1980s. This paradigm saw travelers become more concerned about how their consumption habits impacted the environment. Hotels followed suit by reframing their marketing strategies and investing in green practices that increased sustainability [1]. A common term being used in the industry is ‘sustainable tourism,’ yet, there seems to be some confusion surrounding what it means.  

To grasp the concept of ‘sustainable tourism,’ one must first understand ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainable development.’ The two are “closely linked with management of natural environments, particularly protected areas, and the human communities linked economically, politically, and culturally to those environments. The goal of sustainability carries multiple meanings (e.g., redistribution of income, intergenerational and intragenerational equity, maintenance of ecosystems, maintenance of life options, maintenance of resilient human-natural systems, and redistribution of power)” [2]. Sustainable tourism grew out of the ideas of sustainability and sustainable development, and was popularized after the publication of “Our Common Future” by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987 [3].

Another important distinction to be made is between ‘ecotourism’ and ‘sustainable tourism.’ While the former is mostly concerned with environmental issues, the latter focuses on both environmental and social issues. Sustainable tourism aims to be “more energy efficient and climate sound (e.g. by using renewable energy); consume less water; minimise waste; conserve biodiversity, cultural heritage and traditional values; support intercultural understanding and tolerance; generate local income and integrate local communities with a view to improving livelihoods and reducing poverty” [4]. In 2015, The United Nations published the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” which includes two blueprints for sustainable tourism: a) Goal 8.9, “by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products” and b) Goal 12.b, “develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products” [5]. It is within this framework that successful leaders in tourism-centric countries operate, including the Caribbean. 

The Environmental Effects of Tourism in the Caribbean

Given its rich biodiversity, vibrant cultures, and range of activities available on both land and water, it comes as no surprise that the Caribbean is a top tourist destination. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism is the main source of employment, foreign currency and economic growth in the Caribbean. In fact, in 2019, tourism and travel accounted for more than 14% of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (contributing more than 58 billion USD to its economy) [6]. Like other Caribbean nations, Belize experienced a decline in tourism due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In 2020, Belize saw a 71% decrease in overnight tourist arrivals, compared to the year before [7]. However, it is predicted that in 2022 the tourism industry will recover at a faster pace in the Caribbean than any other region in the world [6]. 

Given how closely tourism is linked to a country’s economy, and the ripple effects it has on society, it is important to acknowledge some of its negative environmental effects. Generally, this environmental damage stems from the depletion of natural resources, air pollution and climate changes, as well as the fact that the tourism industry requires intensive energy consumption [8]. The extent to which tourism negatively impacts the environment in the Caribbean is in question [8]. Curiously, a 2017 study found that tourism investments led to a decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 10 countries, including Belize [9]. Regardless, the predicted sector growth means that industry leaders will need to initiate effective sustainable tourism investments [9]; Belize is doing just that. 

It is estimated that 25% of tourism in Belize is reef based [10]. With this in mind, the Belizean government has committed to protecting 30% (or 10,113 square kilometers) of its ocean areas by 2030 [10]. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) perfectly captures this effort and the need for sustainable tourism in saying, “making tourism more sustainable is not just about controlling and managing the negative impacts of the industry. It is also about ensuring economic and social benefits to local communities and to raise awareness and support for conservation of the environment” [11]. 

Sustainable Tourism in Belize

In the case of Belize, sustainable tourism is certainly a priority for several businesses. We sat down with a few to gain a more nuanced perspective as to how this is playing out on the ground.

Ka’ana Resort

Ka’ana Resort — a tropical jungle oasis located in San Ignacio, Cayo District — opened in 2007 and is staffed by 40. For seven consecutive years (2014 to 2021), Ka’ana has won ‘Leading Boutique Resort in Central America’ by the World Travel Awards. Anoushka and Wolfgang Brandl (AB & WB), former Director of Sales and Marketing and former General Manager at Ka’ana, expanded on the resort’s sustainability initiatives in a recent HENB interview:

Could you tell us about sustainability at Ka’ana?

AB: We try to blend sustainable practices as experiences. Instead of just reading about it, when you come on-site you can participate: go to the garden and meet the gardener, pick eggs from the chicken coop and have the chef prepare them for your breakfast. You can learn about composting here and take those practices back home. We’ve also gone plastic-free. The only plastic we use is biodegradable plastic for take-out food. In the rooms we don’t use plastic, instead we have glass water bottles and eco-filters. You’re drinking pure water all the time. At the same time you get to experience the filtration. It sounds very simple, but it has a huge impact on travel.

Could you share some examples of how Ka’ana collaborates with the local community?

AB: Instead of working with big suppliers abroad to buy soap and toiletries, we work with local artisans who produce pure local organic soap which we use in our rooms. 

AB: Pack for Purpose is a program which reminds guests to pack things that are needed locally (i.e. pencils, exercise books etc;). We collect items on a regular-basis and organize a date for team members to go to specific schools (along with delicious treats) and interact with the students. We have a close relationship with school principals in the area. At the beginning of the relationship with Holy Cross School, the Ka’ana maintenance group used spare tiles from the hotel and built two new bathrooms, and re-built the communal hand-washing hand station [on the school grounds]. For the town council, we’ve distributed 40 garbage drums across Santa Elena and San Ignacio. 

AB: We reach out to different corners and help where it's needed. It is our responsibility as human beings, but we’re also one of the biggest employers in the region, so in a way, it's going back to our people. 

What major challenges do sustainable hotels face?

WB: There's no national recycling system but instead recycling only on smaller scales. This makes going plastic-free in a country like Belize difficult. There are also challenges with climate change; we’re having less regular rain but more heavy rain. Another challenge is the lack of awareness [of sustainability] in the community.

AB: If you learn sustainability from school, it becomes a mindset. It’s really a healing process for the whole planet because when you understand what you're doing around you and how you influence your community, the planet is healing and people are happier.” 

How does Ka’ana preserve culture and heritage? And conserve the natural environment?

AB: In our Maya Cooking Class, you experience the heritage of the region by learning how to make tamales. We also had a program called ‘Plant a Tree’ in which we asked our guests to plant a tree upon check–out and give it a name. 

WB: You see so many beautiful places losing their heritage and culture, their foods, their colors, their lifestyle, their whole spirit. Belize has not seen this level of destruction or loss of culture and heritage. If we don’t work on preservation now, there will come a time when it's too late. It is amazing to see guests from New York City, for example, hold a mango [they picked off a mango tree] as if it were the holy grail because they only know this fruit when it's on a styrofoam tray in a supermarket.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Ka’ana’s sustainability efforts? 

AB: COVID was such an eye-opener. A lot of people suffered financially and mentally. We take our blessing of being at Ka’ana to help people in any way we can. In March 2021, we ran a campaign with an organization called Seed of Life Pregnancy Resource Center which offers confidential support to pregnant women and single mothers. My office was full of pampers, clothes, and bottles for children. The whole country came together, and donations came from as far as San Ignacio and the US. 

AB: When the government announced in July 2021 that schools would re-open, we launched the Back-to-school Campaign. We calculated that it would take $20 to fill a school bag. We received more supplies than money [from guests and residents] because people wanted to feel like they were a part of something bigger. Together with the town council, we helped 200 children in need. These things help the community stay together instead of deteriorate, and keep us towards our sustainability goals. Companies should try to continue these practices [beyond the pandemic].

Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort

Located along the seashore in Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District, Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort opened its doors in 2000 and currently has 186 staff members. This resort has received several accolades for their sustainability efforts, including the Environmental Sustainability Best Practice Award at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) in 2018, and the Caribbean Journals’ Green Resort of the Year award in 2019. Areli Perez (AP), Regenerative Ambassador/Sustainability Manager at Hamanasi, shared more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives: 

 Could you tell us about sustainability at Hamanasi?

AP: Hamanasi believes in responsible, natural and cultural based eco-tourism. Our sustainability efforts begin from the design and architecture of our land and buildings. Hamanasi has committed 200+ acres of land to remain untouched, reforested most of the land it acquired for the resort, and continues to reforest through our Plant a Tree Program. Our buildings are designed in a manner that takes advantage of natural light and air flow (to minimize energy usage), and we have a strong influence of our local cultures (Garifuna and Maya) blended into our cuisine, tours, décor, etc. We have also eliminated single use plastics (although with covid we have had to reintroduce Clorox and other chemicals for disinfection), focused on water and energy efficiency measures (appliances, fixtures and systems), and have an on-site organic garden (which includes composting our food waste).

Could you share some examples of how Hamanasi collaborates with the local community?

AP: First, through local employment. From the get go the owners—Dave and Dana—were committed to making Hamanasi a local cultural experience. They wanted to ensure that it was an authentic experience and what better way than to hire local staff? Guests can interact with locals on the resort grounds, and staff contribute to the authenticity of the cultural immersion experience. Second, by participating in Pack for a Purpose. Hamanasi has always had close ties to the community, and quickly realized the need from some of the village families to supply their children with basic school supplies.

What major challenges do sustainable hotels face?

AP: Energy and water usage. Although we limit our usage as much as possible and have invested in the systems and appliances necessary to cut back, ultimately the end user (guests) makes a difference on how much they are willing to scale back (e.g., in their rooms). For this reason, guest education is very important to us and we try to build awareness of the importance of conserving water and electricity.

How does Hamanasi preserve culture and heritage? And conserve the natural environment?

AP: We help preserve our local culture and heritage by including cultural tours such as our Mayan Chocolate Tour, visits to archeological sites, Hopkins Village Bike Tour, Garifuna Cooking Class and by celebrating annual cultural events (with our staff and guests) such as Garifuna Settlement Day and International Indigenous Day. For conservation of our natural environment, Hamanasi— unlike most other oceanfront resorts— has kept its coastal forest, does not permit usage of any sunscreen that is not reef safe, and includes educational components to all inland and marine tours; our guests learn the importance of conserving the beauty they get to experience. Hamanasi also supports the work of local conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Hamanasi’s sustainability efforts? 

AP: The pandemic has pushed back [some of] our sustainability efforts. The one business practice that aligned both COVID and sustainability was the removal of the breakfast buffet which included a high number of touch-points and food waste.

The Future of Sustainable Tourism in Belize

The initiatives being implemented by Ka’ana and Hamansi to curb the negative impacts of tourism and regenerate our environment, are commonplace across the country. There are other hotels, perhaps smaller in size and/or locally operated, that are also helping achieve the goal of sustainable tourism. Research shows that sustainable services offered at green hotels positively affects tourists’ willingness to pay for such lodging [1]. This means that those traveling to Belize, and other places, are paying more attention to projects that protect natural and cultural resources [1][8].

For businesses in the tourism industry seeking to become more sustainable, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, deciding what should be sustained involves “significant, meaningful, and legitimate interactions between all segments of the tourism and recreation industry, but particularly between managers of the publicly owned resources on which the industry is based and the local residents affected” [2]. As expressed in the interviews above, ensuring the local community has employment access is key to achieving sustainable tourism [12]. When possible, incentive education and training for employees which can help improve natural heritage conversation [2][8]. Second, center branding strategies around supporting culture and heritage and not degrading it; local communities should be a part of this branding process [13]. Finally, policymakers are urged to rethink how tourism is achieved. Future strategies should focus on how to regulate tourists’ distribution to not environmentally overburden certain regions [8][14]. One suggestion is to promote less visited places and develop experiences during off-seasons [8].

Play Your Part 

You might be wondering how you can play a role in sustainable tourism. Below are some helpful resources and tips to keep in mind the next time you travel:

• Before you travel, educate yourself on the local environmental issues and research sustainability and conservation efforts of different lodging options. 

• If you book your stay through Kind Traveler, a part of the rate you pay goes towards a charity in the local area. Through this initiative, Ka’ana donates to the Cayo Animal Welfare Society. 

• When traveling, buy and use reef safe sunscreen

• Practice water conservation (i.e. re-use your towels & pack a reusable water bottle) [12]

• Respect the local community, culture and traditions [14]

Belize continues to receive global recognition for its intentional efforts towards sustainable tourism. Help keep Belize beautiful by playing your part!  

Written by Kyrani Reneau

References

[1] Galati, A, Thrassou, A, Christofi, M, Vrontis, D, & Migliore, G. (2021). Exploring travelers’ willingness to pay for green hotels in the digital era. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1-18.DOI: 10.1080/09669582.2021.2016777

[2] McCool, S. F., Moisey, R. N., & Nickerson, N. P. (2001). What should tourism sustain? The disconnect with industry perceptions of useful indicators. Journal of Travel Research, 40(2), 124-131.

[3] Ruhanen, L., Weiler, B., Moyle, B. D., & McLennan, C. L. J. (2015). Trends and patterns in sustainable tourism research: A 25-year bibliometric analysis. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23(4), 517-535.

[4] UNEP/GRID (2011). Towards a Green Economy. Pathways to Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication. Retrieved from www.unep.org/greeneconomy 

[5] United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/publications/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf 

[6] “Caribbean Travel & Tourism sector recovering faster than any other region in

the world, says WTTC” Retrieved from https://wttc.org/Portals/0/Documents/Press%20Releases/201021-WTTC-Caribbean-Scenarios.pdf?ver=2021-10-20-160449-847 

[7] Belize Tourism Board. (2020). 2020 Travel & Tourism Statistics Digest. Retrieved from https://infogram.com/overnight-tourist-arrivals-2020-1hxr4zx3wj09o6y 

[8] Castilho, D, Fuinhas, JA, & Marques, AC. (2021). The impacts of the tourism sector on the eco-efficiency of the Latin American and Caribbean countries. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 78, 101089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2021.101089  

[9] Alam, M.S, & Paramati, SR. (2017). The dynamic role of tourism investment on tourism development and CO2 emissions. Annals of Tourism Research, 66, 213-215.

[10] The Nature Conservancy. (2021). How Belize is Transforming the Caribbean. https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-insights/perspectives/belize-transforming-caribbean-blue-bond/  

[11] Belize Tourism Board. (2019). Placencia Tourism Destination Development Plan. Retrieved from https://belizetourismboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Placencia-TDDP-Final.pdf 

[12] Ecomadic. (2021).3 Green Tips for Eco-Accommodations. Retrieved from https://www.heritagebelize.org/blog/3-green-tips-for-eco-accommodations 

[13] Tavarez, L. (2021). The Impact of Tourism on Cultural Identity in Peru. International Social Science Review, 97(3), 2.

[14] Heigl, M., Peters, M., & Pikkemaat, B. (2021). Exploring the role of tourists: Responsible behavior triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 13(11), 5774. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13115774