TCHTA: Association Members Join Forces for Bahamas Hurricane Relief

#Providenciales, September 13, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Members of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) are committing to assist The Bahamas in their time of need by partnering with local groups and donating to regional efforts.

Last week, 185 mph winds of Category 5 Hurricane Dorian ripped through the Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands, damaging hundreds of homes causing causalities, floods, and leaving thousands of Bahamians heartbroken and destitute.

“This is the worst recorded devastation in The Bahamas in recent memory,” said Todd Foss, President of the TCHTA. “Now that people are coming to terms with the aftermath of the storm assessing their losses, the family of the TCHTA mourns with them as we work to help them rebuild.” 

The TCHTA has been working closely with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) to maximize the support across the Caribbean. CHTA has launched an online donation campaign on its website and has also created a Charity Buzz auction for The Bahamas relief efforts. TCHTA hotel members have donated thousands of dollars in accommodation stays to those affected, while Caribbean hotel giant, Sandals Resorts and its charitable arm have raised over 290k for The Bahamas islands.

“It’s a collective effort.  The CHTA regional family, our members… we are all actively engaged in community initiatives that are aiding the relief for those affected by the hurricane. Locally, we are making plans to visit the affected islands with a team of volunteers from our Association, volunteers from the Harvest Bible Chapel and the TCI Friends of The Bahamas” Foss said. According to Foss, the primary focus for this trip will be to help the children as best they can so that they can reclaim some sense of normalcy amid the chaos. 

TCHTA members are no stranger to hurricane relief as the group collectively played an instrumental role in the recovery efforts after the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria which wreaked havoc in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Foss stated that these relief efforts are important to the TCHTA as The Bahamas has strong ties to the Turks and Caicos Islands, and many Bahamians have contributed to the development and sustainability of the TCI tourism industry. 

An estimated 76,000 people in The Bahamas have been affected by Hurricane Dorian. Many reside in the battered Abaco islands and across the island of Grand Bahama. The TCHTA is encouraging individuals to donate essential items to the relief initiative with a focus on children’s needs, and other essential items such as air mattresses, blankets, pillows, first aid kits, items for the elderly, flashlights, generators, hygiene kits, tarps, ready-to-eat meals, non-perishable items, water filtration devices and financial donations through the CHTA website or locally through the Salvation Army, Humane Hands, Harvest Bible Chapel or the TCHTA office at Unit #52 Saltmills Plaza.

For more information, please contact the TCHTA Office at 339-5787 or visit their social media pages. 

Release: TCHTA