Join us in our mission to promote sustainable tourism in the Caribbean! We work closely with local communities and businesses to ensure that the region's natural resources and cultural heritage are protected for future generations.
About
Our Story
The Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism was established in 1998 as a non-profit organization, domiciled in Barbados.
At a time when sustainability was far from the minds of most of us, two members of CHTA’s Board of Directors recognized that a mindset shift was necessary for the Caribbean tourism industry to meet the pending environmental challenges facing the industry,
and indeed the world.
This prompted the late Sir Royston Hopkin, a pioneer hotelier in luxury tourism from Grenada, and Frank Rainieri, noted developer and brainchild behind Puntacana in the Dominican Republic, to create CAST.
Our Focus
Today, CAST sustains itself as an independent organization and member of the CHTA family of organizations dedicated to serving as a resource, advocate and focal point for Caribbean tourism sustainable matters.
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CAST is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of CHTA member company representatives and specialists with expertise in sustainable tourism.
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Since its inception, CAST, with support from CHTA, has sought to raise the industry’s readiness and awareness on sustainable matters.
Training hundreds of companies on establishing Environmental Management Systems
Supporting hurricane and crisis readiness training and policies throughout the region
Recognizing and awarding best practices through CHTA’s Sustainability CHIEF Awards program
Conducting detailed energy efficiency audits for tourism-related businesses throughout the region
Undertaking environmental impact related research to bolster awareness and stimulate local actions
Conducting dozens of training and awareness-building workshops on a range of sustainable matters
CAST Initiatives
Building partnerships with industry, organizations, institutions and governments to advance research, training and sharing of best practices
Kyle Mais
Chairman
Kyle Mais is a highly experienced hospitality executive with over three decades of involvement in resort operations across the Caribbean and Pacific regions...
CAST
Karolin Troubetzkoy
Executive Director of Marketing and Operations
Karolin Troubetzkoy has significantly contributed to the development of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts, with a focus on environmental conservation and sustainable tourism...
Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts
Denaye Hinds
Sustainable Entrepreneur
As the CEO of JustaTAAD LLC, Denaye Hinds is recognized for her commitment to ESG initiatives and sustainability in the hospitality sector...
JustaTAAD
Christine Young
Managing Director
Christine Young is an expert in sustainability, working across various sectors including tourism and education, known for her sustainability planning and policy work in the Caribbean...
Green Caribe Consulting
Loreto Duffy Mayers
Sustainable Development Expert
Loreto Duffy Mayers boasts extensive expertise in sustainable development with a focus on tourism, energy, and gender. She has played a crucial role in several sustainability initiatives across the Caribbean...
CHTA
Kevan Dean
Executive Director of Engineering Services
With over 30 years of experience, Kevan Dean is an expert in energy conservation and emergency preparedness, focusing on sustainability initiatives within the hospitality industry...
Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino
Kendra Hopkin
Deputy Managing Director
Kendra Hopkin is notable for her efforts in integrating sustainable practices in resort operations at Blue Horizons Garden Resort and is actively engaged in promoting responsible tourism in Grenada...
Blue Horizons Garden Resort
Ted Vogel
Renewable Energy Expert
Ted Vogel brings two decades of experience in renewable energy, specializing in energy efficiencies in military and diplomatic facilities, and contributes to various international energy efficiency projects...
12 South International LLC
Mona Beeson
General Manager
Mona Beeson has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, focusing on sustainable tourism and community service initiatives in Turks and Caicos...
The Sands at Grace Bay
Crescenzia Biemans
Chief Corporate Officer
Crescenzia Biemans runs a sustainable resort in Aruba. She is a leader in sustainable luxury hospitality, using her law degrees to manage the resort's legal affairs and eco-friendly practices, making it the Caribbean's first carbon-neutral hotel.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
Meet Our Board of Directors and Trustees
Click on each image to learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Make Our Decisions
CAST Objectives
⭐️ Serve as a first step resource to tourism enterprises in the area of information and education for sustainable tourism implementation.
⭐️ Provide tangible results to tourism enterprises through sustainability training and education. Assist with certification guidance, vendor and products information.
⭐️ Develop synergies and strategic partnerships with sustainable tourism efforts to ensure a cohesive solution to sustainability within the region.
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Providing detailed studies of sustainability examples, lessons learned and resources to make the case for sustainability throughout tourism enterprises. To work in partnership with aligned groups and organizations throughout the region.
Serving as a clearinghouse for secondary research and conducting periodic surveys and assessments on policies, regulations and practices by the industry and governments.
Promoting responsible environmental and social issues within the Caribbean tourism sector and representing the interests, concerns, and successes of the sector at key regional and international forums; reporting on meeting outcomes to the sector. Contribution to influence governance and decision making regarding sustainability within the sector
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Advocacy Resources in the CHTA Data Center
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CARICOM The Caribbean Community represents 15 Caribbean nations and dependencies whose main purpose is to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states. CARICOM focuses on coordinating economic policies and development planning; devising and instituting special projects, operating as a regional single market for many of its members; and handling regional trade disputes.
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Caribbean Development Bank is a leading catalyst for development resources into the region, working with member Countries and other development partners towards the reduction of poverty in their countries through social and economic development.
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Sustainability Training & Special Projects: through the use of webinars, toolkits, special publications & projects (Resource Guides), training programs and modules.
Collaboration: Advancing partnerships within the region and beyond: through joint initiatives geared towards advancing the call for sustainability and resilience in the region
Frequently Asked Questions
CAST's objectives include serving as a first-step resource for sustainable tourism implementation, providing sustainability training and education, assisting with certification guidance, and developing synergies with sustainable tourism efforts in the region.
What are the main objectives of CAST?
CAST was founded in 1997 under the chairmanship of Frank Rainieri and Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG.
When was CAST founded and who were its chairpersons?
The board includes Chairperson Kyle Mais, Vice-Chair Karolin Troubetzkoy, and Treasurer, George Newton. The Governing Council comprises Loreto Duffy Mayers, Kevan Dean, Ted Vogel, Denaye Hinds, Christine Young, Kendra Hopkin, George Newton, and Frank Comito.
Who are the members of the CAST Governing Council and Board?
CAST focuses on providing information and resources, advocating for responsible environmental and social practices, and offering sustainability training and special projects within the Caribbean tourism sector.
What areas does CAST's strategic focus cover?
CAST aims to provide tourism enterprises with sustainability resources, best practices, and support through CHTA committees for advocating sustainable advances within the Caribbean hotel and tourism sector.
What is the mission of CAST?
The project was initially financed by IDB, GTZ, CDE, UNEP, BL&P, BHTA, and the Government of Barbados.
Who financed the CHENACT project initially?
Over 200 full hotel audits and walk-thru hotel assessments have been conducted primarily in Barbados, Jamaica, and The Bahamas, with additional audits in St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada.
How many hotel audits and assessments have been conducted under CHENACT?
CHENACT aims to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized hotels in the Caribbean by reducing energy costs through improved energy usage, emphasizing Renewable Energy and Micro-Generation, and aiding Caribbean governments in meeting their international obligations regarding GHG emissions and ODS phase-out.
What is the goal of the CHENACT project?
For more information, you can contact info@chenact.com.
How can one get additional information about CHENACT?
Coral reefs play a crucial role in local economies by attracting tourists for on-reef and reef-associated activities, supporting fisheries, and protecting coastlines from storm surges.
Why are coral reefs important to the Caribbean tourism sector?
Reef-associated tourism brings in over $7.9 billion annually from more than 11 million visitors in the Caribbean.
What is the economic significance of reef-associated tourism in the Caribbean?
The project aims to provide information, resources, and networking opportunities through an online knowledge center to engage and educate the public and tourism operators on coral reef restoration efforts.
How does the project plan to support coral reef restoration?