“Embracing the Island State of Mind: Royal Caribbean’s Journey Back to Its Caribbean Roots”

**Royal Caribbean Stays Connected to the Caribbean**

Royal Caribbean International, a cruise line inspired by the Caribbean, has always stayed true to its roots. As the cruise line’s president and CEO, Michael Bayley, recently emphasized, “the Caribbean is the soul of Royal Caribbean.” With about 60% of its business coming from the Caribbean, the cruise line has made it a priority to support the region’s economic growth, sustainability, and community engagement.

**A Partnership to Promote Sustainable Growth**

To foster collaboration between the cruise industry and Caribbean stakeholders, Royal Caribbean is partnering with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) to host “Envisioning Caribbean Tourism: An Iconic Summit.” The summit will discuss key topics such as the cruise industry’s role in creating jobs and opportunities in the Caribbean, as well as the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility.

**Royal Caribbean’s Commitment to the Caribbean**

Bailey highlighted Royal Caribbean’s continued commitment to supporting the success of all stakeholders within the Caribbean cruise travel ecosystem. The cruise line is focused on creating jobs and promoting local sourcing in the region, which requires strong supply chain systems. Bailey emphasized that “it does require a lot of collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and the cruise lines to try to figure out how to create co-ops to aggregate products so that we can purchase them… It’s going to take time and commitment and focus, but we’re very open to it.”

**Sustainability and Innovation**

The summit also touched on the topic of sustainability, with Bailey discussing Royal Caribbean’s waste reduction initiatives and investments in innovative energy solutions such as biofuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The cruise line’s Icon of the Seas is the first ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas, and Royal Caribbean is committed to launching a net-zero emissions cruise ship by 2035.

**Caribbean Tourism Officials Applaud Royal Caribbean’s Cooperation**

Caribbean tourism officials praised Royal Caribbean’s cooperation and commitment to the region. Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO and Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, highlighted the importance of working with the cruise industry and recognized the role Royal Caribbean plays in providing economic opportunity throughout the region. “It’s a great story… it speaks to your leadership and it speaks to your company,” he said, thanking Royal Caribbean for its long-term commitment to the Caribbean.

**FAQ**

Q: What is the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and its role in the partnership with Royal Caribbean?
A: The CTO is a regional tourism authority that aims to promote and develop sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. It partners with Royal Caribbean to host the “Envisioning Caribbean Tourism: An Iconic Summit” and to promote sustainable growth and community engagement in the region.

Q: What are Royal Caribbean’s sustainability goals?
A: Royal Caribbean’s sustainability goals include reducing waste, investing in innovative energy solutions, and launching a net-zero emissions cruise ship by 2035.

Q: How does Royal Caribbean support the Caribbean economy?
A: Royal Caribbean creates jobs and promotes local sourcing in the Caribbean region, which helps to stimulate local economies.

Q: What is the role of the Icon of the Seas in Royal Caribbean’s sustainability efforts?
A: The Icon of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), making it an important part of the company’s sustainability efforts.

**Conclusion**

Royal Caribbean’s commitment to the Caribbean is evident in its continued support for the region’s economic growth, sustainability, and community engagement. Through its partnership with the CTO, the cruise line is working to promote a sustainable and responsible approach to tourism in the Caribbean. As Royal Caribbean prepares to launch its next Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, and continues to explore innovative energy solutions, its dedication to the Caribbean region is clearer than ever.