Endless rows of solar panels. Hydroponic farms. A massive reverse osmosis plant.
Ask the people who run Anguilla's resorts about the future of sustainability, and that's their answer. At forward-looking properties such as Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club and Zemi Beach House, owners are trying to build a greener future.
But there's one more thing that this Caribbean island has that could keep it sustainable for generations to come. And it's the last thing anyone would expect.
Anguilla is a small Caribbean island known for its Technicolor reefs and serene beaches with sand the texture of powdered sugar. Part of its appeal is that it's remote. Most visitors fly from North America to St. Martin and then take a half-hour ferry ride to Anguilla. U.S. airlines have recently added more direct service to the island.
Like many other Caribbean destinations, Anguilla has struggled with sustainability. The previous government promised to do away with plastic bags and styrofoam by 2020, but it's been easier said than done. Today you can still get plastic bags at the island's small grocery stores.
Anguilla is not alone. The entire region has charted an uneven path toward sustainability. The interests of commerce are often in conflict with conservation. And unless residents and visitors see a reason to transition to more sustainable energy and recycling, the struggle is likely to continue.
But there is hope. There are nonprofit organizations working quietly to save the fragile Caribbean environment. Many hotels have found that even when the destination is moving slowly, they don't have to. There are financial reasons for accelerating the pace toward sustainability, but ultimately, it also motivates the destination as a whole — and perhaps even the people who come there to visit. No matter where you go in the Caribbean, tourists hold the key to sustainability.
This is the final article in an eight-part series about sustainable tourism in Central America and the Caribbean. Here's part one about sustainability in Panama, part two about saving Bonaire's number one tourist attraction, part three about Aruba’s struggles to stay sustainable, part four about Curaçao’s conservation efforts, part five about Grenada’s attempt to go green, part six about how Barbados is trying to save its environment, and part seven about sustainability in Antigua.
At the Zemi Beach House, a luxury hotel in the northeastern part of Anguilla, multiple sustainability efforts are underway.
On a recent tour of the property, maintenance workers were removing single-use soaps and lotions, and replacing them with refillable bottles. Paulo Paias, general manager of the resort, says it's the most visible part of the hotel's sustainability program. But
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A low-cost airline is on the move with new flights to major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and more. Denver-based Frontier Airlines recently announced the new routes, which will increase their operations to nine different airports. In celebration of the new schedule, Frontier is also running a fare sale with flights as low as $19 one-way, according to a release. The airline will operate cross-country flights from New York's JFK airport to Las Vegas, and from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX). “By providing exceptional value and a superior travel experience, ‘The New Frontier’ is leading the way in the airline industry when it comes to convenience and affordability,” Frontier Airlines’ Vice President of Network and Operations Design Josh Flyr said in the release. The full listing of new flight routes and discounted fares include:
Sandals has been welcoming travelers to its resorts throughout the Caribbean for more than 40 years, and it’s been giving back to local communities through its Sandals Foundation for the past 15 years.
The question of when is the best time to visit Paris was answered by Audrey Hepburn in the 1963 classic Sabrina: “Paris is always a good idea.” A spring stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg, a summer evening along the Canal Saint-Martin, a fall morning whiled away sur la terrasse avec un café, twinkling holiday markets in the winter—it all sounds so fabulous that one single trip can’t cover it all. But if you’re someone who strategizes around attending (or avoiding) big events in the French capital, or would like to cash in on prime deals for hotels and flights, there is of course a slight science to it all.
The Caribbean is the perfect vacation destination for those looking for warm weather, endless beaches, and exciting activities on and off the water. From nightlife and water sports to great food and historical attractions, the Caribbean has something for everyone.
A bellhop opened the door to the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, and I was transported out of Panama City's humidity and into a chilly hotel lobby brimming with excitement.
While North America is home to fascinating destinations spanning from the high Arctic tundra to the Florida Everglades, few can match the spectacular biodiversity of the Caribbean. Biomes across the region span from tropical rainforest to xeric scrubland, and its large number of isolated islands have spurred a high degree of endemism—and to sweeten the deal, the Caribbean is also home to its fair share of high-end resorts that are perfect for wildlife-watching. With summer on the horizon, these idyllic islands are perfect for a foray into some of the Caribbean’s most underrated gems for ecotourism.
The Aruba Tourism Authority today detailed upcoming developments, major events, key sustainability initiatives, and a new tech-savvy resource that will assist visitors in planning their experiences of the One happy island. These updates come as the island enjoys strong visitation numbers, with full year 2023 visitation showing moderate growth from 2019 levels.
The lovely St. Martin Nature Reserve is an exceptional example of environmental protection done right. Located on the north-east coast of the French side of the popular Caribbean Island, it features more than 7,500 acres and nearly 7 miles of coastline. The area was set aside almost three decades ago to safeguard coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands, salt flats and the incredible coastal forest. It’s made up of several small islands. There are even interesting discovery trails for energetic hikers.