The initiative was created to recognise the emerging start-up ecosystem in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean, while also addressing the need for stronger regional collaboration, increased investment and enhanced public-private partnerships.
Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, said: “Tourism accounts for 15% of GDP in The Bahamas, making it an economic engine and a source of vulnerability. We are identifying solutions and building a pipeline of entrepreneurs able to address critical challenges in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean, while helping to catalyze a fast-emerging regional start-up ecosystem driven by stronger cross-Caribbean collaboration”
The Challenge recognised projects across several categories linked to sustainability and tourism innovation.
The runner-up in Category 1: Ocean and Marine Conservation was Island Bey Coastal Stewards. The runner-up in Category 3: Green Tech for Sustainable Tourism was Coco Bliss Bahamas.
Bluequest Bahamas won Category 1: Ocean and Marine Conservation, while Access Island Guide received the award for Category 2: Local and Community-based Tourism. The winner of Category 3: Green Tech for Sustainable Tourism was Out Island Water Company Recycling Program, which also received the Overall Winner award in the UN Tourism Bahamas Sustainable Islands Innovation Challenge.
Hon. I Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, said: “The Bahamas Sustainable Island Challenge demonstrates how small island destinations can lead global tourism transformation through innovation. By empowering local entrepreneurs to develop solutions in sustainability, community-based tourism, and green technology, The Bahamas is intentionally building an innovation ecosystem that strengthens resilience, attracts investment, and converts our vulnerabilities into long-term competitive advantage”
Latia Duncombe, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, added: “This Challenge brings global attention to solutions being shaped by Bahamian hands, Bahamian insight and Bahamian experience. Through our partnership with UN Tourism, we are translating those solutions into market-ready opportunities, ensuring that sustainable tourism in The Bahamas is not only discussed at the policy level, but advanced through practical innovation and measurable impact.”
The six finalists received mentoring support from the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center (CCIC), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Tech Beach Retreat, UnTours and the Tourism Development Corporation of The Bahamas.
All finalists were awarded seed capital by the Tourism Development Corporation of The Bahamas, while also joining the UN Tourism Global Innovation Network and receiving scholarships for the UN Tourism Online Academy. The overall winner will also participate in additional acceleration programmes.
According to UN Tourism, the Challenge is the first initiative of its kind in the Caribbean and is intended to establish the basis for future regional collaboration. UN Tourism and its partners plan to expand the model to support innovation ecosystems across Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The initiative was also supported by partners including the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Katapult Ventures.
Tags: I Chester Cooper, The Bahamas Latia Duncombe Natalia Bayona UN Tourism
