Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association applauds UK prime minister's speech

In a speech in central London on August 12, United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister David Cameron described tourism as "fundamental to rebuilding and rebalancing" the UK economy and "one of the best and fastest ways of generating jobs". Cameron outlined four key components to create the "strongest possible tourism strategy" which included the introduction of new government policies for tourism, removing obstacles that discourage tourism and freeing up the red tape, and reducing the "excessive business taxes" on the UK's tourism businesses.

Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) President Josef Forstmayr hopes that Caribbean governments will adopt a similar approach to tourism, which is the Caribbean's number-one employer.

"It is gratifying to see a country like the UK recognise the true importance of tourism," said Forstmayr. "The prime minister's speech could easily be adopted by all of our 35 member destinations - particularly as it relates to the excessive red tape and taxes that burden the Caribbean's private sector; tourism contributes so much to our local economies," he added.

advocacy campaign

CHTA recently launched its own 'Tourism Is Key' advocacy campaign, in conjunction with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) during a recent CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Montego Bay.

The campaign seeks to educate and inform a broad audience from Caribbean heads of state to 'the man in the street', regarding the importance and impact of tourism on the Caribbean's economies.

"Travel and tourism is a major economic and social driver in the Caribbean," said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president & CEO of WTTC. "It is essential that its value is recognised by governments and the public at large, and that governments help to unlock its full potential for the benefit of all stakeholders in the Caribbean."

Forstmayr added: "Prime Minister Cameron's speech is exactly 'on message' with our 'Tourism Is Key' campaign,\ and we have sent a copy of the speech to all Caribbean prime ministers and ministers of tourism."

Alec Sanguinetti, CHTA's director general and CEO, is in the process of visiting several Caribbean government leaders to discuss the state of the tourism industry in the Caribbean.