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Reimagining the future: community based coastal and marine tourism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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Reimagining the future: community based coastal and marine tourism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)

July 2025

The Blue Tourism Initiative, in collaboration with its partner, the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), is proud to announce the launch of community-based coastal and marine tourism activities on the South Coast of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)

Project Title: Reimagining the future: community-based coastal and marine tourism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)
Duration: June 2025 – January 2026

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is home to unspoiled natural beauty, with its South Coast offering exceptional eco-adventure opportunities. However, with the growing impacts of climate change and external shocks, such as COVID-19, bold and sustainable solutions are urgently needed. As part of the Blue Tourism Initiative, CANARI will collaborate with local stakeholders in SVG to develop a thriving, inclusive blue economy that benefits all. 

Project Objectives

  • Enhance Community-Based Tourism: Support for creating policies to guide and grow community-based tourism.
  • Boost Sustainable Tourism through Micro and Small-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): Develop a vision for ecotourism that fosters local livelihoods and socio-economic opportunities, facilitating the creation of MSMEs.

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Key Activities

  1. Building local capacity: equipping MSMEs with the skills to adopt sustainable practices, enhance business development, and embrace innovation.
  2. Marketing CBT experiences: showcasing SVG’s authentic, community-driven tourism activities to a global audience.
  3. Branding niche CBT experiences: positioning the South Coast as a premier destination for eco-friendly marine tourism.
  4. Providing financial support: ensuring MSMEs have access to the funding necessary to implement environmentally sound and community-oriented initiatives.
  5. Providing input that shapes a national CBT policy: establishing a clear framework to guide and support community-based tourism initiatives.

Expected Results

  • Increased visibility and demand for community-based tourism (CBT) experiences, thanks to a marketing strategy
  • A strong brand identity for eco-friendly marine tourism on the South Coast
  • Improved financial access for MSMEs to implement sustainable initiatives, thanks to funding mechanisms, facilitating grants for MSMEs engaged in CBT.

  • Policy and governance frameworks supporting CBT expansion. Concrete input provided for the design and adoption of a national CBT policy.

Impact

Through this initiative, SVG’s adoption of community-based coastal and marine tourism will facilitate the empowerment of local communities to take on a central role in the tourism sector while preserving natural ecosystems.  By implementing this model, the country can enhance its economic resilience, promote inclusive growth, and promote eco-friendly, community-focused tourism.  Additionally, by integrating conservation practices into tourism activities, communities are incentivised to protect marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangroves, and beaches, which are vital for maintaining biodiversity and mitigating the impacts of climate change.