Important news: The head of the Caribbean region’s tourism development agency has called for legislation to regulate the disposal of waste in Caribbean waters. Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2nd Sustainable Conference in St. Eustatius this morning, Hugh Riley, the secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), said the Caribbean had a responsibility to protect and preserve its water resources.

The theme of the conference is Tourism and Water: Protecting Our Common Future. Water is at the core of the Caribbean’s efforts at sustainability and that it is important that the necessary policies be put in place to safeguard this vital resource.

There are significant risks to wildlife and tourism opportunities that come with development; and water conservation in hospitality. So it’s up to the hotels to maintain safe and eco-friendly practices with respect to coastal waters.