St. Kitts and Nevis is Committed to Safeguarding Its Natural Beauty—Here’s How

Many travelers recognize St. Kitts and Nevis from their stops at its port during multi-country cruises. However, this dual-island paradise deserves deeper exploration—especially its lush mountains, pristine beaches, and rich historical and cultural landmarks.

Currently, this Caribbean nation—officially the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis—is striving to establish itself as a distinct destination for tourists. As part of this effort, it is embracing sustainability in innovative ways.

“As a nation that depends significantly on tourism, it’s crucial for us to safeguard our tourism assets so that both locals and visitors can enjoy them for generations,” states Marsha Henderson, St. Kitts and Nevis’s minister of tourism, civil aviation, and urban development.

In 2013, federation officials initiated the first programs to promote sustainable practices among businesses throughout the islands. These efforts culminated in the country adopting a sustainable development planning framework in 2023, in collaboration with the United Nations, focusing on ecological, educational, cultural, and financial goals. St. Kitts and Nevis now aims to be the first Sustainable Island State, prioritizing economic and social growth alongside a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability.

Residents are witnessing growing investments in renewable energy, eco-friendly infrastructure, and sustainable business practices. Travelers are also noticing changes, including more green hotel options and eco-tours available throughout the islands.

For instance, St. Kitts has promoted the rewilding of former sugar plantations. The government halted commercial sugar production in 2005 to redirect resources toward tourism. “Naturally, nature began to take over, reclaiming much of the sugar lands adjacent to the rainforest. Consequently, the rainforest has expanded,” notes Henderson. Importantly, St. Kitts and Nevis’s central mountain rainforests are safeguarded from development under legislation established in 1904.

St. Kitts and Nevis’s naturally steep landscape is perfect for rainforest cultivation, which continues to grow, taking back previously abandoned sugarcane fields. “We aim to enhance economic sustainability by forging closer connections between tourism and agriculture,” says Henderson, along with “the creative economy and souvenir production, thereby minimizing foreign exchange leakage and enriching local communities within the federation.”

Likewise, several hotels across the nation are embracing green energy and waste reduction strategies. Sunset Reef Resort, a luxury boutique establishment, exemplifies this commitment. The resort has integrated sustainability into its design from the start. According to Chris Crane, the property’s chief operating officer, it features comprehensive water filtration and reverse-osmosis drinking water systems in each guest room. Additionally, it has eliminated plastic bottles and straws, planted native vegetation, and installed a geothermal air-conditioning system.

Crane attributes the success of nationwide sustainability efforts to the support of both the government and residents. “St. Kitts is a beautiful Caribbean gem,” he says. “The locals are dedicated to maintaining its charm while understanding the necessity for ongoing development and infrastructure enhancements to boost growth and attract visitors.” In line with this, the government is now providing incentives for resorts that incorporate renewable energy solutions into their new and existing renovations.

“What often gets overlooked is that sustainability is not only environmentally sound but also a savvy business strategy,” states Crane, “offering a greater return on investment compared to traditional methods.”

This is why, in part, seven tourism-related businesses in St. Kitts and Nevis are collaborating with the St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council (SDC), a nonprofit advisory group composed of government and private-sector representatives aimed at promoting sustainable destination management. The SDC has also trained over 100 locals as “Destination Guardians” through workshops focused on waste reduction in tourism and community development. Guardians visit popular attractions to pinpoint challenges and devise responsible recovery strategies.

The SDC has aimed to preserve Kittian culture through sustainable tourism activities. By partnering with local historian Leonard Stapleton, the SDC has initiated a series of workshops designed to enhance awareness and appreciation of St. Kitts’s history and cultural practices.

Tourism professionals visiting the island can also engage in these workshops, immersing themselves in various aspects of St. Kitts and Nevis’s local heritage. They will have the opportunity to tour sites across the islands, including the capital city of Basseterre, to learn about the country’s colonial architecture, experience traditional music, observe folkloric dances, and understand the games children play.

Additionally, the federation has been pursuing long-term investments in renewable energy to benefit both residents and visitors. It has launched a campaign to upgrade streetlights and sports facility lighting from traditional energy-consuming fixtures to LEDs, thereby lowering power usage. This year, parliament voted to ban single-use plastics. By the end of 2024, bans will extend to Styrofoam food containers, plastic straws, single-use plastic cups, plastic plates, and plastic utensils. The sale and distribution of plastic bags will be prohibited by March 2025.

“Some restaurants on the island have already adopted the ban on single-use plastics,” states Henderson, “by using Mason jars, paper straws, biodegradable takeaway containers, and banana leaves for serving plates.”

Collectively, she notes, these initiatives are still in the early stages, but they have already demonstrated promising outcomes: “This ongoing effort underscores the effectiveness of long-term conservation strategies and the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the protection of these natural resources.”