caribbean tourism opportunity
News

Comito: Crisis Offers Big Chance to Upgrade Caribbean Tourism Product

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - April 21, 2020 - 5:35 pm

The COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity for the Caribbean to upgrade its tourism product, according to Frank Comito, the CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

Speaking on a recent Foreign Press Association webinar, Comito explained how the Caribbean hospitality sector and destinations are marshaling their crisis management experience to be able to bounce back stronger and better once the pandemic has subsided.

Comito commended resort owners for using the opportunity to refresh their offerings and facilities and – at a social distance – train staff on advanced aspects of the sector while the region remains closed to new visitors.

Comito described the initiatives which CHTA, working in partnership with the Caribbean Public Health Agency, put in place as of January. 

The measures built upon previous efforts to address health threats with training, information sharing and signing up hotels to participate in an online health monitoring platform which was developed several years ago by the health agency.

He pointed to research coming out of the World Travel and Tourism Council and Oxford Economics research following the 2017 hurricanes showing that the Caribbean tourism sector recovered to pre-hurricane levels faster than anticipated, after returning with a new and improved product.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association chief said the Caribbean tourism sector had a proven ability to rebound strongly from adversity, after developing resilience from experiences including 9/11, Zika, hurricanes, chikungunya, volcano eruptions and earthquakes. 

“The data clearly shows we bounced back better and stronger … there’s every reason to believe we will be resilient once again,” he said.

The CHTA chief urged tourism stakeholders to take advantage of COVID-19 resources set up by CHTA to contain the spread of the virus in the region, and laid out on the CHTA COVID-19 Resource Center, which covers everything from readiness to handling cancellations

— CJ

Popular Posts antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


This Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Is Coming to Barbados —  And You Can Book It With Points

new brand for the caribbean

Barbados has long been a haven for adults in search of refinement — the kind of place where luxury and culture blend in quiet, confident harmony. Now, that ethos is becoming the foundation of a new resort concept that aims […]


Related Posts martinique french caribbean hostpot

A Legendary Caribbean Chef Just Opened a New Eatery in Martinique (With a Rum Bar, Too) 

Maybe you’ve tried the foie gras-banana. Or the swordfish. Or just tried one of the best ti’ punches anywhere. If you’ve been to one of Guy Ferdinand’s establishments, you know.  And now there’s another one: Ferdinand has done it again: […]


These 5 Caribbean Cities Are Perfect for a Quick Weekend Getaway

old san juan puerto rico caribbean cities

The Caribbean is about more than just its stunning natural beauty — it’s about culture, character, and city streets that feel like they’ve lived a hundred lives. Some of the most memorable escapes happen not on a remote cay, but […]


The Dreamiest Rainforest Resorts in the Caribbean, From Dominica to Belize

rainforest resorts

The Caribbean is often imagined as a string of sun-drenched beaches — white sand, turquoise water, and endless horizon. And while that version of the Caribbean is very real, it’s only part of the story. Move beyond the shoreline, and […]