Royal Caribbean's Ocean Fund has made possible a new initiative by the Caribbean island of Roatán to become the first tourist destination in Honduras to complete a comprehensive 360-degree assessment and action plan for destination-level sustainability.

The project aims to allow Roatán's thriving tourism industry to have a long-term support for the environment that draws so many tourists. Of all the tourists that visit Honduras, 55% go to Roatán.

The Rapid Sustainable Destination Diagnostic was carried out by the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative in close collaboration with global non-profit organization Sustainable Travel International, Honduras’ Ministry of Tourism and Roatán’s local Geotourism Council.

The evaluation of Roatán’s performance was based on five elements of sustainability: sustainable tourism planning and governance, economic linkages, preservation of cultural heritage, social and community issues, and environmental protection.

Royal Caribbean's Ocean Fund program has been awarded a 2010 World Tourism Award for their dedication to sustainable tourism and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.

Royal Caribbean's Ocean Fund was awarded “in recognition of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ establishment of the Ocean fund which has awarded over $11 million in annual grants supporting nonprofit marine conservation organizations in protecting the world’s oceans through research, education and development of innovative technologies.”