For many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), tourism is more than just an industry—it is the heartbeat of their economies, communities, and cultures. Visitors are drawn to their crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and unique traditions, but these same attractions are under threat. Rising sea levels, extreme weather, and environmental degradation are challenging the very foundation of tourism in SIDS.
On Global Tourism Resilience Day, we recognize the urgent need to protect these fragile economies while ensuring that tourism remains a driver of sustainable development, not a casualty of climate change. The Joint SDG Fund is working with SIDS to transform this vision into reality—strengthening tourism, enhancing resilience, and securing sustainable livelihoods.
Tourism at a Crossroads
For decades, SIDS have welcomed travelers from around the world, offering experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Yet, this global exposure has also left them vulnerable to economic shocks. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism to a standstill, SIDS were among the hardest hit. In some cases, national economies shrank by double digits in a single year, leaving communities struggling to recover.
But the challenges facing SIDS go beyond the pandemic. Coral bleaching is altering marine ecosystems, hurricanes and cyclones are devastating coastal communities, and rising tides threaten the very shorelines that tourists flock to see. The stakes could not be higher. Without urgent action, SIDS risk losing not only a key economic sector but also a way of life.
Redefining Resilience: Stories of Hope from SIDS
In Fiji, where coral reefs are the foundation of marine tourism, urgent action is underway. The Joint SDG Fund, in partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, has committed $10 million to reef conservation efforts, unlocking an additional $30 million in private investment. These funds are helping to establish marine protected areas, expand eco-tourism initiatives, and create sustainable livelihoods that depend on thriving oceans. By 2030, this initiative aims to protect over $1 billion in annual tourism revenue while ensuring food security for thousands of Fijians.
In Cabo Verde, financial innovation is reshaping the future of tourism. The country’s sustainable finance platform, Blu-X, has raised millions in green, social, and blue bonds, directing investments into eco-friendly tourism projects. A $3.5 million Blue Bond, the first of its kind in the region, is already funding women and youth-led businesses that support ocean conservation while strengthening local economies. Cabo Verde is proving that tourism can be both a driver of prosperity and a force for environmental stewardship.
Beyond Recovery: Building the Tourism of the Future
Tourism in SIDS must be more than just a source of income—it must be a pillar of climate resilience, financial stability, and community empowerment. Across the globe, Joint SDG Fund programmes are demonstrating what this looks like in action.
In Mauritius, biofertilizers made from seaweed are reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture while ensuring that the island’s natural beauty remains intact. In the Maldives, a gender-responsive climate finance strategy is helping women shape the future of sustainable tourism. In Suriname, investments in eco-friendly agriculture are linking organic food production to the tourism industry, ensuring that visitors experience authentic, locally sourced cuisine while supporting small farmers.
These success stories share a common theme: SIDS are not just adapting to change—they are leading the way in designing tourism models that work with nature, not against it.
The Path Ahead: Tourism as a Force for Good
This Global Tourism Resilience Day, we celebrate the innovation, determination, and leadership of SIDS in building a tourism sector that does more than just survive—it thrives. The choices we make today will determine whether these island nations remain among the world’s most sought-after destinations, not just for their beauty, but for their commitment to a better future for all.
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and our private sector funding partners, for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
