Article by Theresa Storm.
Do you care what your dollars support when you take a Caribbean holiday? For travellers who do, choosing accommodation — a hefty part of your travel spend — is key. What should you look for?
Of late, the term “regenerative tourism” is buzzing around, yet another travel trend. But what does it mean? Regenerative travel aims to leave a destination in a better state than it was found, actively working to restore and rejuvenate local communities and the environment. Some say It goes beyond “sustainable tourism,” which mitigates negative impacts on ecosystems and communities. But others, like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, says its members focus on increasing positive impacts alongside reducing negative ones.
In the former camp, Regenerative Travel is an organization that says it is redefining tourism through ecological stewardship, cultural celebration and guest experiences that give more than they take. It recently held a Caribbean Showcase webinar featuring eco-luxury hotel partners that don’t just minimize harm — they actively give back, showing how travel can restore, uplift and transform both guests and local environments. The hotels have projects to protect, conserve and regenerate ecosystems and communities and offer mindful guest experiences that can trigger transformation, proving that hospitality can be a force for renewal.
For tips on what to look for when choosing “regenerative, sustainable or eco” accommodations — whatever moniker you prefer, here we highlight a few things that three small, independent Caribbean properties are doing beyond typical green measures (like LED bulbs, reusing towels and recycling) and what they offer guests that makes them a solid choice: one each in Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Aruba.
Jamaica Inn – Jamaica
Chef Maurice finds inspiration in the vibrant flavours of local ingredients — follow along as he shops nearby markets, then guides you in creating unforgettable dishes. Photo courtesy of Jamaica Inn.
This iconic hotel in Ocho Rios, Green Globe certified since 2012 and Jamaica’s first resort to install EV charging stations, the Jamaica Inn pledges to be carbon neutral next year.
Family-run since 1958, the Morrow family established the non-profit Jamaica Inn Foundation to assist the local community with youth education and wellbeing, preserve the marine environs, and support several charities. Following are examples of the foundation’s work and how guests can participate.
The hawksbill turtle conservation program runs during nesting season, July to November. Guests can book a session with the turtle concierge to learn about the endangered species, including witnessing turtles coming ashore to lay eggs or helping the tiny hatchlings to the sea.
The White River Fish Sanctuary, largely funded and facilitated by the foundation in collaboration with fisherman, hired wardens to protect regional waters. Since coral has depleted 85% since the 1970s, leading to a decrease in fish by 600%, the sanctuary is running a five-year coral restoration program, training three wardens as coral gardeners. Guests can take a glass-bottom boat tour to learn about the sanctuary’s work.
Other ‘Travel with a Purpose’ initiatives allowing eco-conscious travellers to preserve Jamaica and give back to the community include the:
Farm-to-skin foraging spa experience,
Spice & fruit tour,
Shop & cook with Chef Maurice at the local market,
Dinner at a locally-owned restaurant,
‘Pack for a Purpose’, which encourages guests to bring needed items for community sports, a school and the fish sanctuary.
Jade Mountain – Saint Lucia
More than a hotel — a living project in sustainability and thoughtful design, Jade Mountain is the recipient of multiple international awards including landing in 3rd spot in the top 25 favourite resorts in the Caribbean for 2025 (as voted by Travel + Leisure Readers). Photo courtesy of Jade Mountain.
The first Caribbean hotel to earn LEED Gold, Jade Mountain was designed with environmental consciousness by St. Lucian architect/co-owner Nick Troubetzkoy and built in harmony with Caribbean nature from locally-sourced materials by Saint Lucian tradesmen and artisans (rather than foreign workers), up-skilling locals for enhanced future employment.
And to make Jade Mountain’s potable water supply independent from the nearby community of Soufrière, a long abandoned reservoir was restored to serve as a water catchment that is then purified to directly supply the resort, just one of the measures that show Jade’s commitment to the environment, sustainability, best practices and community efforts.
“Build it locally or buy it locally” is the resort’s mantra, including all furniture and furnishings, intentionally keeping much of the economic benefit in the region. Most of the gross revenues from Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet (her sister property) remain in the local community. With a 99% local workforce numbering 500+, together the resorts are one of the most important employers in the island’s southwest.
On a wider Caribbean scale, co-founder Karolin Troubetzkoy is instrumental in creating change through working with multiple hospitality and conservation associations to promote more sustainable tourism models. And Nick was the instigator of the Soufrière Foundation, an NGO to benefit the Soufrière community, including beautifying the town square and creating a museum, a spa at Sulphur Springs, and a crafts market.
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel – Aruba
A quiet place to recharge — surrounded by greenery, built with care for the planet. Jeff Herron Photography, Inc.
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel’s colourful casitas are an adult-only hideaway steps from Palm Beach. Family-run by Aruban twin sisters, it is Travelife Certified for its green hotel operations. In 2018, 32 casitas were added. All are Green buildings 100% powered by solar and constructed with Insulated concrete form walls, double-glazed aluminum windows and doors, insulated floor slabs and panel roofs.
Guests are inspired to get involved and give back to the island with Boardwalk’s growing Do-Good program. Activities include drinking tap water; walking, adopting or transporting a stray; “meditate to donate” with proceeds funding upkeep of the Butterfly Farm; donating non-perishable food and hygiene items to the food bank or donating a crate (baby, hygiene or food) by adding it to the room bill; adopting a donkey; cleaning up beaches; or visiting Arikok National Park, where the visitor admission fee contributes to Aruba’s nature conservation. Boardwalk also encourages guests to pack with a purpose, bringing school supplies, books, toys or treats to place under the giving tree in the lobby or the year-round donation box.
Another way guests support the community and learn about Aruba’s culture and heritage is by exploring with Boardwalk’s signature treasure maps, themed for discovering romance, culture or doing-good while exploring the isle. Visitors are urged to purchase from local sources, including locally-made artworks and products in the hotel’s lobby shop and guest room pieces by the Artesano Foundation to rehabilitate prisoners.
Article and photography Theresa Storm.
A four-month-long solo island-hopping adventure through the Caribbean 28 years ago ignited Theresa’s passion for the tropics, culture, nature and trying new adventures.
Back home in Calgary, her increasingly restless, itchy feet soon led to a career writing about travel worldwide. She loves escaping winter for warmer climes, especially to the Caribbean, which has long felt like her real home.
As an award-winning travel writer and photographer, she’s penned scores of articles for magazines, newspapers and e-zines, and contributed to books including Caribbean Escapes and the first edition of DK Eyewitness Caribbean.
Her articles and photographs have been published in magazines including Bon Vivant, Extraordinary Experiences and Vacations (Ensemble Travel Group), Wanderlust (U.K.), Avenue Calgary, WestJet (WestJet Airline’s in-flight), Morning Calm (Korean Air’s in-flight), LUXE Magazine Canada, AAA publications, Cruise & Travel Lifestyles, Dreamscapes and Today’s Parent.
She is a two-time winner of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Canadian Travel Writer of the Year award and twice won CTO’s best photograph with a feature article and best online feature. She also was honoured with the Travel Media Association of Canada’s excellence in Caribbean travel writing award.
