#Miami, FL, September 4, 2019 – USA – The Caribbean tourism industry and its many friends around the world are responding to the call for support for the storm ravaged islands of the northwestern Bahamas – The Abacos and Grand Bahama.
The
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is appealing to its membership,
travel industry partners, national hotel and tourism associations and all
Caribbean tourism interests to support the islands of the northwestern Bahamas
following the devastation wrought by Category 5 Hurricane Dorian.
CHTA
Director General and CEO Frank Comito made the appeal after being briefed by
the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and the Bahamas Ministry of
Tourism on how relief can be best provided for the people of the Bahamas as
response operations begin and the extent of the damage assessed.
The
association is advising the industry to be prepared to provide two stages of
support for the ravaged areas, beginning with the immediate humanitarian needs
over the coming weeks.
CHTA
has provided members with details as to how they can support immediate efforts
with cash and urgent supply donations. Cash contributions are being directed
through the Bahamas Red Cross. Collections points for emergency relief supplies
have been established throughout southern Florida and in Nassau, Bahamas
through several initiatives by the Bahamas Government, the Miami-Dade County
government, and Sandals Foundation.
Details
are available at:
https://www.bahamas.com/relief
http://www8.miamidade.gov/global/initiatives/cares/home.page
www.sandalsfoundation.org/donation
“Our
hearts are with those in The Abacos and Grand Bahama,” said Comito, who
thanked “all who’ve expressed concerns and for your interest in helping
our neighbors in this time of need.”
CHTA
reminded the Caribbean and global tourism interests, as well as friends of The
Bahamas and the Caribbean, of the tremendous outpouring of support the tourism
industry has provided during times of need. This support was instrumental in
delivering critical emergency relief to storm damaged Caribbean destinations in
the past, including The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Haiti,
Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Our
people respond with great generosity both to the immediate and long-term
recovery needs. Caribbean people are extremely resilient, but need help to
bounce back as quickly as possible,” states Comito.
To
help support the long-term recovery, CHTA is putting in place an online
auction. Hotels throughout the Caribbean basin are being invited to donate room
stays which the travelling public can bid on, with the proceeds going towards
the long-term recovery. “We are working with Charity Buzz and the Caribbean’s
33 national hotel and tourism associations to organize the fundraiser which we
hope to launch to the travelling public in the coming days,” Comito
explained.
The
CHTA Education Foundation is also undertaking a targeted fundraising campaign,
with proceeds going to help with education and school-related initiatives for
the children in The Abacos and Grand Bahama.
Immediate
support is essential and details on how people can help are available now
at http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/hurricane-resources and https://www.bahamas.com/relief .
To
support the long-term recovery needs, CHTA will release further details in the
coming days on how the travel industry and the public can help. “As we’ve
done in the past, all project funding will be directed based upon on-the-ground
consultation with the Bahamas tourism industry’s public and private sector
stakeholders. It will be needs-based, no waste, and aimed at helping to rebound
for the long-haul. The recovery will take several years,” said Comito, who
urged all and sundry to rally around CHTA’s “‘One Caribbean Family”
campaign.
About
the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)
The
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean’s leading
association representing the interests of national hotel and tourism
associations. For more than 50 years, CHTA has been the backbone of the
Caribbean hospitality industry. Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied
members, and 33 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s
future and helping members to grow their businesses. Whether helping to
navigate critical issues in sales and marketing, sustainability, legislative
issues, emerging technologies, climate change, data and intelligence or,
looking for avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is
helping members on issues which matter most.
For further information, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.
Release: CHTA