While the region has set records in visitor expenditure in 2015 and is already performing well for this year, this is no time to rest.
“We certainly cannot relax until we become the world’s most desirable year-round, warm weather destination and until every citizen of the Caribbean benefits from tourism,” stated Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Hugh Riley.
In a special message for Caribbean Tourism Month, he illustrated that the region set arrival and visitor expenditure records that surpassed expectations, as Caribbean tourism grew by an estimated seven per cent to 28.7 million visits, a performance that was above the global rate of growth, of 4.4 per cent.
He therefore stressed that a priority must be to embrace sustainable tourism development.
“We must keep the right balance between maximising the benefits of our tourism assets for the well-being of our current populations, and do so responsibly, so that we can preserve those resources for generations to come. To maximise the benefit and preserve resources, we need to create systems that ensure that guests and hosts can equally enjoy the experience,” Riley added.
According to him, during this annual marking of Caribbean Tourism Month, an even greater emphasis must be placed on the kinds of experiences offered to guests, which make up our exciting and diversified tourism product.
“It’s also a great time to introduce new ideas, methods and products, to propose innovative and revolutionary thinking and to generate fresh energy into the sector,” he stressed, while outlining the activities the CTO will undertake over the next four weeks.
These include: A 30-Day Social Media Photo/Video Challenge featuring the people, fashion, heritage and natural attributes of the Caribbean; the Help Me Pick a Caribbean Holiday/Vacation Spot Social Media Poll; an Online Caribbean Fashion Show via Periscope & Facebook Live Marathon/Tweet-Chat and the highlighting of romantic facts about CTO member countries.
The Secretary General added, “This is an excellent opportunity to be featured globally and to demonstrate to the world that the spirit of togetherness we talk so passionately about remains alive and vibrant in the Caribbean. It also helps to give meaning to the Caribbean Tourism Month theme, One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.”
Section: