Dominicas commitment to climate resilience through renewable energy, organic agriculture, ecotourism, sustainable infrastructure and a culture of eco-consciousness has provided a strong strategic and ideological underpinning for the Nature Isles social and economic development.

In March, during the pinnacle of the tourist high season, COVID-19 forced the Eastern Caribbean island into lockdown and while only 18 people have been infected to date, all of who recovered, the tourism sector was forced to pick up the pieces.

Luckily, Dominicans know a thing or two about resilience.

No stranger to navigating crisis or to the devastating impacts of climate change, after being mercilessly decimated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, Dominica rebounded within two years, becoming the fastest growing economy in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations (2020).

Dominicas rapid growth is a testament to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrits vision of becoming an example to the world, an example of how an entire nation rebounds from disaster and how an entire nation can be climate resilient for the future.

Determined to become "the world's first climate-resilient nation," governments priorities during the pandemic have been to safeguard its people while making plans to reboot the eco-tourism sector and develop climate resilient homes and infrastructure to support environmentally responsible growth, much of which is being funded by one of the most prestigious Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Programmes in the world.

Dominicas Citizenship By Investment Programme is the backbone of its green growth strategy. The CBIs Economic Diversification Fund is fuelling development projects such as hurricane-proof public housing and a geothermal plant that promises to provide clean energy to 23,000 homes. Would-be citizens also have the opportunity to support the development of the ecotourism sector by investing in select properties, such as The Residences at Secret Bay, a limited luxury collection of fully appointed, sustainable residences.

Dominicas tourism product is a natural fit to the vision of its leadership. Famed for its biodiversity, the second largest boiling lake on earth, active volcanoes, black sand beaches, heavily protected rainforests and the Eastern Caribbeans first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the Nature Isle is a haven for eco-enthusiasts and environmentally conscious travellers.

Emerald Pool Waterfall, Morne Trois Pitons National Park (UNESCO World Heritage List, 1997), ... [+] Dominica. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)

Last year, The Financial Times fDi Intelligence service FDI Strategy Ranking selected Dominica as one of the top 20 tourism destinations of the future, placing the island in two awards categories: 'Ecotourism' and 'Health and Wellness Tourism.'

And in July, as many regional hotels began to reopen their doors amid uncertain circumstances, Dominicas Secret Bay Hotel was named the No. 1 Resort Hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas in Travel + Leisure Worlds Best Awards. This is a success that proprietor, Gregor Nassief credits to the Green Globe Certified hotels unwavering commitment to responsible luxury and sustainability.

Basking in the light of well-deserved global recognition, Dominicas government has been making plans to open borders to all travellers on August 7th. Strict protocols have been enforced around entry, hygiene and social distancing and the tourism sector has been briefed on safety standards and operational best practices. Properties such as Secret Bay have been waiting for months to open their doors to visitors.

As an all-villa resort, Secret Bay was designed around social distancing before it was a buzzword, muses Nassief of the propertys freestanding cliff top accommodations, spread across acres of rainforest at a density of structures to land of less than 10 per cent.

In time for reopening, Secret Bay is launching a StayWell Program that supports holistic health and wellness, safety and responsible luxury. In addition to surpassing all of the sanitising and disinfecting protocols, Secret Bay is introducing immune-boosting remedies like morning wellness "shots" consisting of turmeric, ginger, moringa, kale, cucumber, wild honey, beetroot, local oranges and pineapples, and a superfood turndown.

Overhead view of Secret Bay Hotel

Secret Bay has also launched a backyard garden program, inspired by the Ministry of Agricultures backyard garden initiative that was introduced as a way for families to sustainably support themselves during COVID-19. Each villa has its own garden where guests can forage for provisions like assorted herbs, Asian leafy greens, chives/spring onions, lettuce and tomatoes.

In November 2019, at a pre-independence speech, Prime Minister Skerrit reminded Dominicans of how far they had come.

We are back. Our country is on the cusp of a very exciting and dynamic period, he declared.

In Dominica we have much for which to be thankful and to give praise. First and foremost, we are no longer the Cinderella sibling of the Caribbean family; were up there with the brightest and the best.

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Green Growth Has Made Dominica The Fastest Growing Economy In The Caribbean - Forbes