Caribbean Hotel Leaders Push for Clean Energy Transition

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is renewing advocacy for more aggressive adoption of renewable energy, stating that the region remains extremely vulnerable to climate change, with most tourism operations still dependent on fossil fuels.

CHTA President Sanovnik Destang emphasized the urgency of transforming energy policies and infrastructure, citing that only about 2.3% of the region’s tourism energy comes from renewables.

Efforts include proposing incentives for clean energy investment, updating regulations to allow faster transitions, and encouraging public-private partnerships for sustainable power solutions.

Hotel operators are being called upon to improve operational efficiencies, reduce waste, and participate in climate-smart infrastructure projects, which may include solar power, energy storage, and improved insulation.

Some destinations are already making progress, but disparities remain: smaller islands with limited resources face greater challenges in financing and implementing clean energy solutions.

The push indicates a growing recognition within the industry that climate resilience is not optional—it’s central to the future of Caribbean tourism.