In honour of Earth Day 2025, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA) and the SUNx Institute have formalised a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate the transition to a climate-resilient, low-carbon tourism industry in the island.
They said the agreement underscored a shared commitment to safeguarding the planet and empowering communities through climate-smart tourism initiatives.
Under the agreement, SLHTA member companies will receive support in aligning their operations with the principles of Climate Friendly Travel (CFT), a framework defined by SUNx Malta as travel that is measured, green, 2050-ready and climate-resilient.
SUNx, described as a global leader in CFT development, provides research, education, and operational support to help destinations, businesses, and travellers take meaningful action in line with the United Nations 2030/2050 Green and Clean Roadmap. Participants will be included in the CFT Registry, connecting Saint Lucia to a growing network of responsible travel businesses and eco-conscious consumers worldwide.
Noorani M. Azeez, CEO of the SLHTA, said, “This Earth Day (April 22) reminds us that the time to act boldly for our environment is now. Through this partnership with the SUNx Institute, we reaffirm our dedication to placing regenerative tourism at the heart of our development strategy. The SLHTA believes in a tourism model that not only sustains but also revitalises our communities and ecosystems.”
Professor Geoffrey Lipman, SUNx president, said, “Together with the SLHTA, we aim to deliver transformation where tourism operators embed climate action at the core of their business practices. As the world unites under the Earth Day 2025 theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, this collaboration also prioritises plastic reduction, waste minimisation and sustainable supply chains as essential components of tourism innovation.”
