Dr. Vickey John-Joseph, CEO of GELA, Leads Climate Resilience for Tourism Growth at CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, Shaping Climate-Smart Tourism’s Future - Travel And Tour World

March 20, 2026 - 22:19

The imperative for the tourism sector to build resilience against climate change took center stage at a recent Caribbean Tourism Organization conference. Dr. Vickey John-Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Eco-Tourism and Livelihoods Agency (GELA), led critical discussions on integrating climate adaptation directly into regional tourism growth strategies.

Dr. John-Joseph emphasized that environmental sustainability and economic development are not mutually exclusive, but fundamentally linked. She presented a suite of practical tools and frameworks designed to help tourism businesses and destinations transition toward climate-smart operations. These resources aim to equip stakeholders with the methodologies needed to assess vulnerabilities, mitigate environmental impacts, and ensure long-term viability in the face of changing global conditions.

The address highlighted that proactive climate planning is now a core component of competitive and responsible tourism. By adopting these forward-thinking practices, destinations can better protect their natural assets, which are often the very foundation of their visitor appeal, while safeguarding community livelihoods. This shift is seen as essential for securing a prosperous and sustainable future for the industry across the Caribbean and beyond.