How Dominica and other destinations are doing sustainability right

12.11.2024 - 14:57 / thepointsguy.com

In many places, tourism is one of the most powerful economic drivers, so it's unsurprising that many destinations prioritize bringing in tourist dollars at all costs, regardless of the effect on local communities and ecosystems. However, much more good can come of a place prioritizing the environment and its people and making connection with them core to the experience for visitors.

Even a single hotel or resort directing its energy and resources to lessen its impact on the planet can have a profound effect, exemplified by waste-lessening initiatives at Bali, Indonesia's Potato Head and sustainable power generation at Dominica's Coulibri Ridge. However, leveraging those sustainable tourism initiatives at scale throughout entire destinations is fast becoming the standard globally for places looking to ensure their future economic and environmental well-being.

Dominica, the jungle-covered Caribbean destination known as the "Nature Island" for its wild and wonderful outdoor pursuits, such as diving and hiking, is a model in this regard. The island is prone to hurricanes and is officially designated as disaster-vulnerable by the World Bank. Since 2017, however, the island has been working to be the first climate-resilient nation in the world, and the Indigenous Kalinago people and their customs are at the heart of the effort. With input from Kalinago chief Sylvanie Burton, more sophisticated weather-monitoring systems are already in place, such as new meteorological stations and a network of monitoring points that use hydrometeorological sensors to track and anticipate extreme weather.

The island has also deployed enhanced water storage and supply practices, more storm-resistant infrastructure and greater access for Indigenous populations when evacuation or other protective measures are needed. The conch shell warning systems long used by Kalinago have been adapted to today, blending ancient practices with modern technology that covers all the bases, from a certain long-blowing conch sound to radio and smartphone alerts.

Some of this is being funded by the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program, which gives international individuals dual citizenship in the nation in exchange for investing $200,000 in the island's Economic Diversification Fund.

Another project demonstrating the nation's comprehensive approach to sustainability is the new Sperm Whale Reserve of around 300 square miles off the island's west coast. The first in the world, the reserve is expected not only to generate tourism income (visitors can view the behemoths from a boat or swim with them in tightly monitored numbers) and help protect the threatened species but also to sequester carbon through a chain of events that involves the