Us, Dec. 10 -- With its turquoise bays, coral-fringed atolls, and reputation as one of the world's most desirable island destinations, Seychelles has long relied on tourism as the backbone of its economy. But government officials and international partners say the archipelago's natural beauty - the very resource that sustains its prosperity - is facing escalating threats from climate change and unsustainable development.

On Wednesday, policymakers and global environmental experts gathered at Laila, a Tribute Portfolio Resort on Mahe, to validate a major proposal under the Integrated Collaborative Approaches for Sustainable Tourism (iCOAST) program. The initiative, part of the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) latest funding cycle, coul...