Tourism Legends Awards: Carl Hunter

During its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 17th June 2026 the SLHTA awarded Carl Hunter with a Tourism Legends Award, in appreciation of his many years of dedicated service, devotion and commitment to the hospitality and tourism industry.

There are individuals who leave their mark through the buildings they construct, the businesses they create, or the positions they hold. Then there are those whose legacy can be found in something far more enduring—the positive changes they inspire and the better future they help create.

For more than three decades, Carl Ryan-Hunter has dedicated his professional life to advancing sustainability within Saint Lucia’s hospitality industry. Throughout much of that time, he has been closely associated with Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts, where he helped shape an approach to tourism that demonstrated that environmental responsibility and operational excellence can work hand in hand. Carl’s contribution to sustainability has never been about grand statements or lofty ambitions . It has been about action. It has been about implementation. It has been about finding practical solutions that deliver measurable and lasting results.

Drawing upon his background in engineering and estate management, Carl brought a unique perspective to sustainability. He understood that environmental goals are most effective when they can be integrated into the daily operations of a business, maintained over time, and continuously improved.

Under his leadership and guidance, a wide range of sustainability initiatives were introduced and expanded. These included water conservation and resilience programs, energy-efficiency measures, improved waste separation and management systems, harvested water projects, environmental education initiatives, the reduction of single-use plastics, the introduction of glass-bottled water services and hydration stations, enhanced local sourcing programs, and improved operational efficiencies throughout resort operations.

Yet perhaps one of Carl’s greatest achievements was ensuring that sustainability was not hidden behind the scenes. Instead, it became part of the guest experience.

Visitors were invited to learn, engage, and participate through organic farm tours, tree-planting initiatives, conservation activities, invasive lionfish awareness programs, marine clean-up efforts, and behind-the-scenes sustainability experiences. Through these initiatives, guests gained a deeper understanding of Saint Lucia’s natural environment and the role that responsible tourism can play in protecting it.

In doing so, Carl helped demonstrate that sustainability is not simply a responsibility—it can also be an enriching and meaningful part of the visitor experience. His impact extended well beyond the boundaries of any single resort. For many years, Carl served as Chairman of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s Environmental Committee, where he worked tirelessly alongside industry partners and public-sector stakeholders to advance practical environmental solutions across the tourism sector.

Through this role, he contributed to important national discussions surrounding climate resilience, renewable energy, waste management, plastics reduction, sustainable procurement, and the critical relationship between tourism and agriculture. One of the most significant outcomes of this work was helping strengthen the connection between Saint Lucia’s hotels and its farming community.

Through initiatives such as the Virtual Agricultural Clearing House, Carl and the Environmental Committee helped create stronger communication between farmers, chefs, and purchasing teams. The objective was both simple and transformative: reduce waste, improve supply reliability, increase local purchasing, and ensure that a greater share of tourism’s economic benefits remained within Saint Lucian communities.

His influence extended beyond Saint Lucia’s shores through his involvement with the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund’s Advancing Circular Economy Facility. This work reflects his longstanding belief that environmental progress within the Caribbean must be practical, locally relevant, and achievable within the realities faced by small island economies. Those who have worked alongside Carl often describe him as practical, collaborative, and deeply committed to finding solutions.

His contribution has never been limited to projects, reports, or certifications. Rather, it has been about helping to embed a way of thinking—one that recognizes that luxury hospitality can be environmentally responsible, operationally efficient, locally connected, and commercially successful all at the same time. That philosophy has helped shape not only individual businesses but also the broader direction of sustainable tourism development within Saint Lucia.

Carl’s legacy can be seen in stronger environmental stewardship, improved resource resilience, greater support for local communities, more sustainable hospitality operations, and a tourism sector that increasingly understands that sustainability is not a separate initiative—it is simply good business. His work has demonstrated that true sustainability is achieved when it becomes part of an organization’s culture, part of its decision-making, and part of its daily operations.

Carl’s wife Sophie Darius Hunter accepted the award on his behalf.

For his unwavering commitment, his leadership, his vision, and his outstanding contribution to Saint Lucia’s tourism industry, we are proud to recognize Carl Ryan-Hunter as one of the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s Legends.

Read the SLHTA’s 2025/26 Annual Report for more stories, achievements, and industry updates.