May, 2024, St. Georges, Grenada – Prime Minister of Grenada Hon. Dickon Mitchell says stakeholders from a wide cross section of the economy must be included in conversations if the Caribbean is to secure the sustainability of its tourism sector.

Speaking at the 2024 Sustainable Tourism Conference in Grenada on April 22^nd, the Prime Minister noted that partnership is important to ensure the industry’s success “if we are talking about sustainable tourism, we need partnership in order to sustain ourselves. So it means that when we have our conversations we need to be a little more inclusive. Invite the farmers, agro processors, fishermen, supply chain people to help us sustain this tourism industry which is our crown jewel in the Caribbean.”

Delivering the key note at the conference, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart supported the Prime Minister’s call to action, noting that it is only when there is strong partnership among all sectors – private and public – that true sustainability in the regional tourism industry can be achieved.

The conference, which is organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, focused on five key elements for sustainability; People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership. Stewart maintained that it is that last element, “Partnership”, which is key, “perhaps the most powerful part of the five Ps is partnership, public/private partnership. The public sector has a role and the private sector has a role to the degree to which those two things come together determines your gains and your future. So our job, through my eyes in the short time I get to talk is unity, it’s for all of us to come together, to stand together, to take head on the challenges that we face and to find a way to include everybody.’

The Sandals leader noted that regional stakeholders have already demonstrated that it can be done, urging participants at the conference to throw their minds back to the COVID pandemic, when all sectors joined hands making the Caribbean the fastest recovering region for tourism anywhere on the planet, “we pulled together, we unified. We, for the first time in the Caribbean, recognised that we are only as strong as we are together. We worked with the farmers, we worked with the transportation sector, the tour providers, the fishers, the entertainers, even the priests and pastors. I saw the most beautiful harmony take place, I saw cruise ships working with land-based operators in a way that never happened before. The whole supply chain, the linkages came together.”

Stewart maintained that this lesson must never be forgotten, but be the template which drives regional tourism into a bright future, “I believe we must approach all of this with humility, with inclusivity and with open dialogue. We as business leaders and policy makers in government have to dig deeper. We have to stop relying, or pointing to say that’s government business or that’s private sector business. The sooner we come together with the collective to understand that it is our Caribbean business, is the sooner we will get advancement.”

Warning that the traveller today has a wider variety of options fuelled by what they see on social media platforms, Stewart said the region must be more competitive and more ready than ever to attract and welcome visitors, which requires close cooperation between public and private sector, “customers don’t owe us anything. They are explorers. They have the internet and YouTube to guide them without ever leaving the living room. So for us to talk about sustainability we have to do a number of things in harmony. You win when you are frictionless. Tourism, ladies and gentlemen, is the path of least resistance, make it easy for me to get there.”

Stewart went further to state that islands of the Caribbean should not view each other as competitors but recognise that they are one product, “Antigua is not competing with Saint Lucia, Saint Lucia is not competing with Grenada and Grenada is not competing with Jamaica. The world says Caribbean and they put us together, we are in the pot whether we like it or not. We are competing against France, Italy, Germany, London, Singapore, Dubai …that’s who we are truly competing against. And what we can offer differently I promise you, they can’t do it. Their beaches are not as beautiful, their people are not as warm and friendly in the way our people are, and our stories are more fascinating.”

However, Stewart said the region can only truly realise its potential when stakeholders unite and seek solutions in a non-adversarial, inclusive way with a level of maturity. “To the degree that we can get those things to work together; agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and all the services working in harmony, the private sector and the public sector, will define our future.”

Captions:

Header: Prime Minister of Grenada Hon. Dickon Mitchell.

Insert: Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart.

#Mandeville, May 20, 2024 – Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says Jamaicans are buying into the Ministry’s #KnowYourNumbers campaign, which encourages persons to monitor key indicators such as blood sugar, pressure and cholesterol levels, and body mass index, among other vital metrics.

Dr. Tufton says more than 500 people have undergone multiple medical tests since the initiative commenced, noting that “when you look at what it means for some people, it’s literally lifesaving.”

He was speaking with journalists during the campaign’s 11^th road show at Bargain Village Plaza in May Pen, Clarendon, on Friday (May 17), where hundreds of residents came out to receive various health checks. These included dental checks and body mass index tests.

Dr. Tufton said the test results are showing either existing or potentially extreme cases requiring emergency care, pointing out that the Ministry, through the  #KnowYourNumbers initiative, is reaching out to people and creating opportunities for health education.

“[This campaign] is helping people to respond, because some of them could [for example] be on the verge of a stroke. [But] we are [also] saying to Jamaicans [that] besides events like these, take time to go to the health centre and know your numbers. Do your annual check-up, because too many of us are walking around with conditions and are not taking them seriously until we get a stroke or heart attack, and that’s what we want to avoid,” he emphasised.

Resident of New Bowens in Clarendon, Bobbett Morse, who said she previously delayed going to the doctor to her check-ups, informed that she decided to attend the road show because of the many health services which were being offered during the event.

“I got my blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol, HIV, eyes tested and teeth cleaned; and I got a letter to take to the hospital for further eye tests,” she informed.

The event also saw Dr. Tufton engaging attendees in a wide range of other activities, including testing their knowledge on some of the services offered by the Ministry.

There were also information sessions on preparing healthy meals and aerobics exercises, among other engagements.

The final stop for the #KnowYourNumbers tour will be in Portmore, St. Catherne.

Contact: Barbara Ellington

Release : JIS

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 19, 2024) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) announces the launch of its groundbreaking guidebook, “Artificial Intelligence Transformation Guide for Caribbean Tourism”.

This initiative, spearheaded by the CHTA Technology Task Force, marks a significant milestone as it is the first guidebook of its kind released by any regional Hotel and Tourism Association.

Authored by Christus Gill with AI support, the guidebook represents a major advancement in incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into the region’s tourism sector, setting a new standard for innovation and technological integration.

Building upon the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) foundational guide, “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology: Guide for Travel & Tourism Leaders”, CHTA has crafted a comprehensive resource for industry stakeholders. The AI Guidebook provides essential insights and best practices tailored to the unique landscape of Caribbean tourism. It aims to illuminate the myriad benefits of AI adoption and addresses the challenges and concerns that might arise.

Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts, Chair of the CHTA Technology Task Force, and the main driver behind this initiative, shared his enthusiasm about this innovative tool: “The AI Transformation Guide for Caribbean Tourism opens up a new realm of possibilities for our industry. By integrating AI technologies, we can significantly enhance guest experiences, improve operational efficiencies, and push the boundaries of what Caribbean tourism can achieve.”

The creation of the guidebook was a collaborative effort involving influential industry professionals from across the Caribbean who serve on the CHTA Technology Task Force, including:

• Chairperson Sanovnik Destang, St. Lucia
• Co-Chairperson Christus Gill, St. Lucia
• Yatsuri Marshall, St. Lucia
• Brian Broomes, Barbados
• Jamal Griffith, Barbados
• Jeremy Jones, Jamaica
• Lisa Hamilton, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Kjerstin Carlson, CHTA Liaison

The guide explores Generative AI and other AI technologies, providing tailored insights and strategies for the Caribbean hospitality and tourism sectors. It addresses challenges and ethical considerations, showcasing AI’s potential to transform travel by combining innovation with creativity. The CHTA Technology Task Force also plans to release a follow-up guidebook featuring case studies of AI implementation in Caribbean hotels and tourism companies.