CHTA leader wants greater generational wealth built through tourism

By Shanieka Smith

Staff Writer

February 24, 2023 – President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Nicola Madden-Greig, said the tourism industry in the Caribbean could become a source of generational wealth if a better focus is placed on boosting entrepreneurship.

The official addressed attendees at last week’s Global Tourism Resilience Conference in Jamaica, where she noted that tourism started in small communities with “the mom and pops.”

“As we continue to grow, we have to make sure that we use tourism to build out our entrepreneurial class … but also to look at generational wealth and not solely be employees, but become owners of the product and the experience,” she added.

Madden-Greig highlighted potential opportunities in accounting, web development, and technology for young people across the region. She said the joint efforts of tourism officials across the region are needed to achieve these goals.

The CTHA president congratulated Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, on initiating the first Global Tourism Resilience Day, saying it will become a yearly reminder to promote resilience in the industry.