The Caribbean region has long recognized the importance of developing a cohesive policy framework for the sustainable development of the region's tourism sector.

A Regional Tourism Policy will foster competitiveness and sustainability in the region and will strengthen regional and national capacities and linkages.

One of the main objectives of the 8 million Euro Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Programme (CRSTDP) funded by the European Commission under the 8th EDF, is the development of a Regional Sustainable Tourism Policy.

A Regional Sustainable Tourism Policy framework can assist National Tourism Organizations to adapt their national strategies and set their own sustainable tourism standards and aims to harmonize national policies and ensure the transfer of knowledge, skills and experience among the more and less developed states within the region.

Within a CARIFORUM programme context all Caribbean Countries can benefit and have been invited to participate in the process for the development of this 3-year programme component. This particular regional policy framework initiative is led by CTO as the implementing agency responsible for its execution.

For this purpose and to achieve the expected results and activities towards the development of this Regional Policy framework, a three-year work plan and a schedule of activities have been scheduled and approved by the EU. The success of the programme is dependant on the active consultation and participation of member countries.

Individuals responsible for policy making and related matters from regional Ministries and tourism offices have been invited and identified to participate in this.

The development of the Regional Policy Framework will incorporate:

- Existing National Tourism Policies and current priorities

- Sustainability issues as the main concern of the framework

- Active consultation and input from participating stakeholders through one common process

- Tourism Policy making as part of a participatory process and cycle