5 of the best responsible travel initiatives in the Caribbean

For many years now, the Caribbean has attracted an estimated 25 million international visitors annually. In 2020 and 2021, this figure fell significantly due to the Coronavirus pandemic. However, with traveller numbers rising once again, popular holiday islands such as Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are once again welcoming visitors in their millions.

Most people arrive on large cruise ships with popular harbours such as Montego Bay, Nassau and Cancun bearing the brunt of Caribbean tourism. Hundreds – sometimes thousands – of passengers spill into the local region, eager to sightsee, shop, eat and drink. In many cases, cruise ship partners – typically large resorts and internationally owned stores – benefit from cruiser expenditure, with very little going to local businesses. All the while, the huge number of people puts tremendous pressure on local infrastructure, pushing locals who are unable to afford rising costs out of the area.

Change, however, is finally happening – and a more sustainable travel industry is evolving from the beating heart of the Caribbean – the region’s local people. With family-owned, community-run businesses growing in size and making their voice heard, an increasing number of independent travellers are becoming aware of local initiatives that offer more genuine, cultural encounters away from the cruise ship and all-inclusive resort hubs. As more and more visitors sign up for these experiences, local businesses are making enough to invest profits back into nature and conservation. It’s a win-win situation.

By supporting the projects run by local people, who fight for a healthier community and better environmental practices, allows the Caribbean to thrive in the right way. Here are five fantastic sustainable initiatives that ooze conscience and ethic.

The Bahamas’ Family Islands initiative invites travellers to experience heritage, tradition and way of life across 16 islands (Shutterstock)

For decades, the Bahamas has been famous for its capital and port town, Nassau, with most visitors bouncing between the two main islands in the archipelago – New Providence and Grand Bahama. In truth, the Caribbean nation is home to over 3,000 islands, cays and islets, many with distinct environments, cultures and customs. Having partnered with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the Bahamas Destination Stewardship council (DSC) aims to bring travellers to lesser visited regions.

Initiated by Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma and Harbour, the ‘Family Islands’ initiative invites travellers to see beyond Nassau, to showcase the variety in heritage, tradition and way of life across 16 inhabited islands, in the hope that this will generate and build economic activity away from the cruise hubs. By turning the focus to locally-led experiences, such as the Bahamas People to People programme – which allows visitors to team up with volunteer guides to enjoy family dinners, local artisan projects and grassroots environmental initiatives – the Bahamas can proudly showcase its full identity as a family of islands, with community at its core.

Finca Gaia farm invites visitors to plant vegetables, harvest fruits and rainwater and understand the native ecosystem found among the karst environment (Finca Gaia)

Set on 35 acres of natural forest in Barrio Maguayo de Dorado, just 30 minutes outside of capital San Juan, Finca Gaia is a family-run farm lead by Ana Pérez. Ana’s desire to focus on the preservation and regeneration of the area’s native landscapes was was realised in 2015, when she began growing trees and shrubs alongside crops to create a sustainable agro-ecological landscape. Ana inherited Finca Gaia from her parents, Alfonso and Carmen, in the 1970s. Today, it is home to over 300 species of tree, 50 species of flora, 80 types of fruit and 37 native vegetation species.

Now run by Ana’s children, the project has expanded even further – by offering interactive visits to locals and travellers. In fact, anyone is welcome to embark on an onsite eco tour to learn about the farm’s organic practices, as well as the local karst topography. A volunteer day programme allows visitors to lend a hand onsite – planting vegetables and harvesting the fruits that are in season and preparing composting beds and earthworm elixir – while guests can buy postcards and t-shirts to support the project long after they have departed.

Ruth Pion’s ‘Decolonial Tour’ showcases the often untold story of African people who were enslaved in the region (Alamy)

As far as immersive experiences go, the Hidden History – A Decolonial Tour in San Domingo – run by local anthropologist and researcher Ruth Pion – is a must for those wishing to understand the deep and complex history of this Caribbean island. With much of the storytelling in the Caribbean typically told through the inherited gaze of the colonisers, Ruth has created a decolonised and interactive experience for small groups of people. ‘Our African ancestors survived and left us with a wonderful legacy that we live and enjoy every day,’ she explains.

On the Hidden History walking tour, groups are taking to landmarks around the picture-perfect ‘Colonial Zone’ – starting at Plaza España and ending at Parque Independencia – with the accompanying storytelling to address the Afro roots of the island. Ruth shares often untold stories of the African people who were enslaved here, including how they formed alliances with the Indigenous Taino population, which had also been severely reduced during the early colonial era. The tour can last from two to five hours, dependent on interest and whether guests opt to go beyond the realms of the city centre.

In Belize, the lionfish – an invasive species that has no natural predators and breeds quickly on tropical reefs – now features on menus, spearfishing adventures and even on jewellery thanks to innovative local entrepeneurs (Shutterstock)

Few people know that Belize is home to the world’s second largest reef system (the first being Australia’s Great Barrier Reef). With ocean warming, bleaching events and pollution making reef systems around the world increasingly fragile, a huge effort is being made in Belize to protect and preserve its corals. The invasive Lionfish species, for example, is detrimental to native fish populations and, in turn, marine ecosystems – so implementing measures to control numbers is crucial. As lionfish have no natural predators and breed quickly on tropical reefs, locals are becoming increasingly innovative when it comes to culling.

The remarkable Fish Right, Eat Rightpolicy, for instance, encourages local hotels, restaurants and beach cafes to add lionfish to their menu – allowing fishermen the opportunity to catch and sell the species in bulk. Meanwhile, other types of businesses are also getting creative. Hamanasi Advenure and Dive Resortoffers spearfishing tutorials and experiences to guests keen to learn a new skill. The target is, of course, the lionfish. Elsewhere, 19 women from seven coastal communities have come together to create jewellery company, Belioness – where the distinctive lionfish fin is used in making products such as earrings and pendants. Not only is this project assisting in gentle control of the lionfish population, the concept also empowers women to run independent businesses and promotes ethical fashion.

The hills of St. Ann Parish near Ocho Rios in Jamaica is home to Stush in the Bush – a family run farm-to-table dining experience (Shutterstock)

Farm-to-table initiatives are a powerful way of changing the way nations regenerate agricultural land – so it’s wonderful to see ventures such as Stush in the Bush thriving in a busy area such as St. Ann Parish near Ocho Rios. Founded by Lisa and Christopher Binns, Stush in the Bush is a local dining experience, specialising in plant-based dishes – championing the traditional flavours of Jamaican cuisine coupled with sustainable and organic farming.

From crispy plantain chips and coconut crusted yam to eggplant accras and pineapple croquettes – mouth-watering vegetarian and vegan dishes light up the menu here. In addition to welcoming food lovers from all over the world, the Binns have created their own products such as nut-based cheeses and butters, Passion Fruit or Mango Lime Ginger vinaigrettes and gourmet pepper sauces, which are available to take away. They also invite other business to learn about their environmentally-conscious practices, putting on workshops, collaborations and events – with the hope of inspiring friends and neighbours to expand their resourcefulness.