As established by the World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism must balance environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects. Sustainable tourism is most successful when a program preserves the natural environment, respects the cultural heritage of an area and its indigenous population and provides socio-economic benefits to not only investors but to the local population by creating stable employment.
The Caribbean Hotel Association initiated the promotion and development of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean region by establishing the CHA Environmental Committee in 1992. Three years later, this movement evolved into the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism. CAST educates hoteliers and tour operators on the benefits of promoting sustainable tourism practices and has helped reduce the consumption of natural resources.
Vieques' Bioluminescent Bay is an example of sustainable tourism in action. The island near Puerto Rico is home to a rare convergence of environmental conditions that support large concentrations of a tiny marine organism that "lights up" when disturbed. Because the shallow bays and mangrove thickets are required to make this magic possible, development has been strictly prohibited. Operating from the Esperanza fishing marina and boardwalk, several tour providers conduct nighttime kayak tours of the bay. The fabulous beaches near the bay are also conspicuously devoid of development, appealing to tourists who value a more natural setting. Nearby restaurants and guest houses benefit from the tourism, and the tourism creates jobs without changing the local culture.
