By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) are launching the first Caribbean Tourism and Hospitality Investment Guide targeted at international investors.

The publication exhibits a wide range of investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector in CTO member states, and details incentives that regional governments are offering to attract new business.

The guide highlights the performance of these sectors in Caribbean states, as well as increased airlift to the region and new industry investments, as reflections of investor confidence in the region.

“Ours is an attractive and desirable destination with a strong, competitive advantage due to our natural resources and authentic experiences,” CTO Chairman Richard Sealy, Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, said. “Investing in the Caribbean makes good business sense. We know it and we are proud to produce a guide that illustrates it.”

CHTA President Emil Lee urged investors to use the publication to learn about the “incredible opportunities” available through investment in the region, and noted that, despite the challenges it faces, the tourism industry continues to grow and diversify.

“Public-private initiatives at the regional and destination levels are actively addressing those issues which are important to the industry globally . . . lowering utility costs, improving the visitor experience, holding the line on taxes, incentivizing investments, and maximizing productivity through investments in our people,” he said.

The document will be distributed at the 2015 Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit, which takes place in Puerto Rico Nov. 12 and 13, and at CTO’s Caribbean Week in Canada business events next week.