As part of the first day of the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC 2026), organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization together with the Belize Tourism Board, the Government of Belize highlighted the need to strengthen a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive tourism model, while also warning about the growing impact of sargassum on Caribbean coastlines.

Under the theme “Tourism in Full Color,” the event positions Belize as a regional hub for discussions on the future of sustainable tourism, integrating the blue, green, and orange economies into the region’s tourism development policies.

During an interview with ABC MUNDIAL, Belize’s Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler, stated that sustainability is part of the destination’s identity. “That has been part of our DNA as a tourism destination. We are small in terms of infrastructure and the assets we have across the country. We preserve and try to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism,” he said.

One of the central topics of the conversation was the increasing spread of sargassum, a phenomenon that is affecting more and more destinations across the Caribbean. Mahler acknowledged that it represents a critical issue for Belize and the entire region.

“Sargassum is not something created or caused by what we are doing here in Belize. We are dealing with it directly in this part of the world and in certain Caribbean countries. We must come together with the scientific community to find a solution,” he said.

The official described the phenomenon as an “existential threat” from both an economic and environmental perspective. “We lose business when sargassum floods our beaches and coastal areas. Last year it was more than 80% worse than the year before, and it seems this year will be the same or even worse,” he warned.

Mahler explained that Belize is currently working with different teams and technologies to try to contain the impact of sargassum. “We are using pumps, trying to move it further out to sea, and looking for ways to reuse it as fertilizer or construction materials. We are also working with the environmental community, international agencies, and foreign companies to secure equipment and address this situation,” he noted.

He also called for greater international involvement to tackle the problem. “If we can spend billions on wars or find a COVID vaccine in less than a year, we can also find a solution to sargassum. It is unfair to our region, and I will continue to speak out on every platform I have,” he said.

The minister further emphasized the importance of incorporating sustainable practices in the private tourism sector. “We have minimum standards and training programs so that sustainability becomes part of daily business practices. We want it to become a natural way of life,” he concluded.