BARBADOS – “We imagine the Caribbean ought to lead, and never comply with, on investing in a wholesome, sustainable, and productive future for the prosperity of our folks and our planet,” declared Dona Regis-Prosper, the newly appointed Secretary-Normal and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Group (CTO), as she delivered the characteristic handle at a digital Caribbean discussion board celebrating World Tourism Day 2023 on Wednesday.
Echoing the United Nations World Tourism Group’s message this yr, Regis-Prosper elaborated on the holistic technique that focuses on extra and better-targeted investments “for folks, for planet and for prosperity.” This technique captures neighborhood empowerment, environmentally accountable development, and equitable wealth creation underpinned by resilience.
Highlighting the urgency of the decision to motion, the regional tourism chief posed three pivotal questions:
- “How is the Caribbean, the world’s most tourism-dependent area, going to answer this worldwide name?”
- “How will we contribute our distinctive expertise and experience to the worldwide dialogue on issues akin to renewable power, local weather change and carbon neutrality, inclusivity, and the necessity for economies of scale to extend native linkages and cut back leakages?”
- “How will our leaders within the public, non-public and nonprofit sectors translate theories into insurance policies and sensible functions that enable our communities and our business to develop extra sustainably and extra equitably?”
The tourism chief delved into the three foundational pillars underpinning this yr’s World Tourism Day theme:
Individuals
Regis-Prosper harassed the necessity for a give attention to people-centered tourism, which requires addressing the Caribbean’s information and expertise hole. Affirming the important significance of interpersonal relationships in tourism, she shared, “Analysis confirms what these of us within the tourism and journey business know firsthand – that inter-personal, face-to-face interactions with others play a big half within the customer expertise.”
Planet
Pointing to the Caribbean’s position as a guardian of fragile ecosystems, she underscored the urgency for “inexperienced investments and environmentally aware practices.” Citing initiatives such because the Caribbean Lodge Power Effectivity Motion Undertaking, she emphasised the Caribbean’s dedication to sustainability: “As a world model, Caribbean tourism should proceed to embrace greatest practices in environmental, social and governance actions that show our dedication to future generations.”
Prosperity
Based on the CTO Secretary-Normal, the ultimate pillar highlights the necessity for public-private sector and neighborhood collaborations to boost advantages from tourism. She outlined the necessity for range, fairness and inclusion, and cultural respect, stating, “The CTO helps the decision of the UNWTO for brand new and modern options and investments that stimulate and underpin the tourism sector’s development, productiveness and sustainability. It’s a name to speculate concurrently in our gifted human capital. When our folks, our communities and our planet thrive, our business and our locations prosper.”
Constructing on the three S’s of Social Inclusion, Sustainability, and Sensible Locations and Companies, Regis-Prosper envisions Caribbean tourism led by inexperienced development, which entails inexperienced investments, inexperienced applied sciences, and inexperienced enterprise practices.
The digital discussion board was a mixed initiative of the Caribbean Tourism Group in collaboration with the Caribbean Lodge and Tourism Affiliation, the College of the West Indies, the Group of American States, the Group of Jap Caribbean States Fee, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, and CTO allied members: the Worldwide Institute of Tourism Research at The George Washington College, and Hibiscus Worldwide.
The Joint Communiqué issued on the conclusion of the digital discussion board will likely be obtainable at www.onecaribbean.org.
CTO’s New Secretary-General Shares Vision for Regional Tourism
