Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez has urged global leaders to prioritize sustainability, warning that economic expansion must not come at the expense of the environment.
Speaking at the Berlin Economic Forum, Fernandez emphasized that tourism, which contributes 10% of global GDP and employs one in ten people, must balance growth with environmental responsibility.
“The industry stands at a crossroads,” he said. “Sustainable tourism is no longer a niche—it is a necessity.”
He highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts, including solar-powered public buildings, the Sustainable Island Resource Framework Fund, and the Destination Stewardship Council. He also pointed to public-private partnerships, such as the Nobu Beach Inn in Barbuda, as key to responsible investment.
Fernandez called on global investors and policymakers to follow this model, quoting Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai: “We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to conserve the environment.”
The Berlin Economic Forum, running from 3–6 March, brings together world leaders to discuss sustainable business, responsible investment, and environmental policies under the theme: International Business, Sustainable Investments & Environmental Projects for Advancing Global Development, Democracy and Peace.
