A historic agreement has been signed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) in which the two organizations have pledged 'full cooperation and collaboration between the public and private sectors of the Caribbean tourism industry in order for tourism development to proceed in a coherent, effective and efficient manner.'
This follows a number of years in which both organizations walked similar, but disparate paths in promoting the region. 'We already collaborate in a number of specific areas and already exchange directors on each other's boards but we have stopped short of establishing a process under which our collaboration is pervasive and permanent,' said a statement written by both organizations.
A 14-point Memorandum of Understanding has been signed 'intended to provide written evidence of that intent and we set out hereunder some of the principles under which we wish to proceed,' the statement added.
'We have put together this Memorandum of Understanding so that we move forward as one Caribbean because it makes us stronger together,' said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
'We will create a business development unit so that we can provide more benefits for all our members without raising fees,' Vanderpool-Wallace said. 'CTO is an organization in transition and you are going to see a fusion into a single web site promoting Caribbean tourism,' he added.
'CHA is very excited to be collaborating with CTO on a wide range of matters,' said Berthia Parle, president of the Caribbean Hotel Association. 'One thing that we have already decided to do to demonstrate the coming together of CTO and CHA is to agree on a single logo that will clearly promote the Caribbean brand,' she added.
'CTO member governments are very pleased to be able to work together with our private sector partners to promote tourism to our region,' said Pamela Richards, CTO Chairman and U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism. 'It is our mandate and intent to do everything we can to build tourism as it benefits the people of the Caribbean region,' she added.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed today by CHA President Berthia Parle and Pamela Richards, Chairman of CTO states:
'The tourism industry in the Caribbean functions best when both the private and public sectors work toward a common set of goals.
'The ultimate intent of this collaboration is to provide the peoples of the Caribbean with ever increasing economic and social benefits from tourism and to provide our membership with ever expanding services while keeping their membership contributions to a minimum.'
The Caribbean Tourism Organization
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York, London and Toronto, is the Caribbean's tourism development agency and comprises membership of over 30 member governments and a myriad of private sector entities.
The CTO's mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people. The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and statistics, information technology and sustainable tourism development. The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.
The Caribbean Hotel Association
CHA is the organization that brings together the members of the Caribbean hospitality industry, from hotels to airlines and tour operators. Together, they represent the entire spectrum of the Caribbean hospitality industry's private sector and CHA is their voice. CHA's mission is to optimize the full potential of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry by serving member needs and building partnerships. The more than 800 member hotels of CHA offer travelers the perfect lodging for every taste, whether the preference is an all-inclusive mega-resort, a well-known branded chain hotel, or a unique 'boutique' style small hotel, in 35 diverse Caribbean destinations.
For more information on CTO contact: Richard S. Kahn at 516-594-4100; Richard@kahn-travel.com or Johnson Johnrose at 246-427-5242; jjohnrose@caribtourism.com or for CHA contact Lorraine Ortiz at 787-725-9139 or lortiz@caribbeanhotels.org.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
