OECS Strengthens Capacity for Community-Based Tourism Development Across Member States

Tourism officials from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) gathered in Saint Lucia from June 9-11 for a high-impact Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Capacity Building Workshop titled "From Assessment to Action: CBT Policy Development and National Action Planning." The workshop focused on equipping Member States with tools to strengthen CBT policies and action plans, positioning local communities as the primary architects and beneficiaries of the tourism experience. This initiative was supported by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), through the Regional Integration Growth Harmonisation and Technology (RIGHT) programme.

Community-based tourism (CBT) is a people-centred approach that prioritises inclusive economic development and equitable income distribution. By empowering local entrepreneurs including youth, women, and those in remote areas, CBT ensures that tourism revenues remain within communities while protecting the region’s rich culture, heritage and natural assets.

Delivering the opening address at the Coco Palm Resort, OECS Director General, Dr Didacus Jules, challenged the region to leverage its authentic advantage.

"Community-based tourism is not a charming sideline to the real industry," Dr Jules asserted. "Done well, it is the most strategic answer we have to ensuring that tourism benefits remain within our communities and contribute to more resilient local economies."

Echoing this vision, Saint Lucia’s Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, the Honourable John Paul Estephane, emphasised that the strength of the industry lies in its people. He noted that Saint Lucia has already approved 35 community tourism projects valued at over $5 million, providing a successful model for the region. Minister Estephane stated:

“Tourism is at its strongest when communities are active participants in its development and beneficiaries of its success." He noted that "local communities, sites, cultural traditions, cuisine, artisans, farmers, and fisherfolk are all part of the authentic experiences that visitors look for.”

The workshop transitioned from theory to practice with a field visit to Eastern Exotic ATV Tours in Dennery, organised by the Saint Lucia Community Tourism Agency, where participants experienced community-tourism in action. Rather than simply observing, they immersed themselves in a living classroom of Saint Lucian heritage. A major highlight of the visit was the traditional cassava bread-making demonstration, illustrating how cultural practices can be transformed into engaging, high-value visitor experiences while creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

Delegates described the experience as both insightful and inspiring. Ayoimiide Oshikanlu, Community Tourism Project Officer from Grenada remarked that it had been rewarding to learn about Saint Lucia's history and the culture, and to see how these elements intertwine to shape an authentic visitor experience. Joleyne Robin-Williams, Tourism Planner within the Government of Anguilla praised the tour, describing the cassava bread-making demonstration as captivating and the finished product as a true delicacy.

The workshop directly supports the implementation of the OECS Sustainable Tourism Policy 2025–2035, which identifies CBT as a key strategy for sustainable resource management and stronger linkages between tourism and other sectors such as agriculture. By the workshop’s conclusion, participants from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines committed to advancing national action plans aimed at strengthening community tourism, building local capacity and improving access to financing for community entrepreneurs.

As the region navigates increasing global economic volatility, the OECS continues to invest in its most valuable and resilient asset - its people. By placing communities at the heart of the tourism value chain, Member States are building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism sector deeply rooted in the authentic stories of Caribbean life.