Guyana has become a key player in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions which significantly contribute to climate change. The country has been recognized internationally for its biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management and climate change adaptation efforts. Despite the lure of utilizing its forests to fuel its economic development, Guyana has successfully preserved 40 million acres of its rainforests through their careful management and has developed an outstanding ecotourism product.

This is the second time that Guyana will be hosting STC. Since its successful hosting of STC-4 in 2000 received rave reviews from delegates, Guyana has promised that STC-13 will top that accomplishment. STC-13 has been themed “Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining Our Resources”. It will not only explore best practices relating to the issues surrounding how tourism sustainability and engaged communities can better interconnect with biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation initiatives, but will also bring new insight into advancements in evolving special interest tourism niches such as adventure tourism. STC-13 will also focus on agro and culinary tourism as well as how to market sustainable tourism products.  Additionally, it will  demonstrate using global and regional examples, how planning for better resource (e.g. water, energy, biodiversity) management in relation to critical tourism-related infrastructure can contribute to tourism sustainability and reduce the impacts of climate change.

Two days of rich discourse via panel discussions and focused learning sessions will be balanced by a full day to adventure into Guyana’s best kept secrets given the vast, lush and exotic landscape that awaits STC-13 delegates. As usual, STC-13 will draw from the best pool of leading local, regional and international tourism experts and practitioners and simultaneously demonstrate how the Caribbean has been making strides with respect to tourism sustainability. The special Stakeholder Speakout and Youth Sessions as well as study tours to some of Guyana’s best attractions and sustainable tourism projects will ensure that STC-13 delegates will leave with not only a greater appreciation for Guyana’s rich tourism product and the natural warmth of its people, but also how Caribbean destinations and their youth have been contributing to the legacy and leadership of Caribbean tourism sustainability.

We invite you to experience STC-13 in Guyana where the ultimate Amazonian adventure awaits you.

Download STC-13 Thematic Brief

ABOUT STC

The Caribbean Tourism Organization has been staging its Annual Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, otherwise known as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC) since 1997. This Conference is part of the information dissemination and regional awareness component of CTO’s Strategy for Sustainable Tourism. It looks at how member states can design and implement sustainable tourism policies and programs, offering a regional forum for information exchange on the successes and pitfalls of national, regional and international initiatives.

STC also serves as a primary arena where new and creative ideas about enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Caribbean tourism product are generated.

This is a Conference from which everyone involved in doing business in and with the Caribbean can benefit. It comprises a comprehensive and dynamic program which includes an elite group of presenters who will share their insights on critical issues that need to be addressed to encourage tourism sustainability. “