A historic agreement has been signed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA)…
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.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
