Tourism vs. Climate: SLHTA CEO Responds to Urgent Demands for Coastal Reform

Noorani Azeez, the CEO of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association (SLHTA), emphasized the critical need to reevaluate coastal development following alarming forecasts from climate authority Dr. James Fletcher. As a CARICOM climate envoy, Fletcher cautioned that a one-meter sea level rise could necessitate $1.6 billion in resort renovations. Azeez pointed out the tension between consumer preferences and sustainability, urging a paradigm shift in tourism practices. He highlighted that environmental degradation affects more than coastlines, advocating for a comprehensive sustainability approach.