Karolin Troubetzkoy, President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association
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The
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is honored to support the theme
and aims of World Tourism Day this year: "TOURISM FOR ALL - Promoting
Universal Accessibility."
Most of our members have recognized the importance of
ensuring their properties, facilities and offerings are accessible to
all visitors regardless of their physical capacities. They have also
have expended time and resources sharing best practices to create the
infrastructure and experiences for our guests as well as residents of
the Caribbean.
According to Secretary-General of the United Nations World
Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai, 15 percent of the world's population
is estimated to live with some form of disability. "That is 1 billion
people around the world who may be unable to enjoy the privilege of
knowing other cultures, experience nature at its fullest and experience
the thrill of embarking on a journey to explore new sights," he stated.
We also recognize, as Mr. Rifai pointed out, that sooner
or later, at some point in our lives, we all benefit from universal
accessibility in tourism due to an ageing population, or because we
travel with family and friends and need to get around unhindered.
For these reasons,we are joining the call to recognize the right of
all people to experience worry-free travel to the Caribbean - one of the
most desirable places in the world to visit, live, work and do business
regardless of our differing abilities.
As we
aim to 'wow the world' with exceptional service and hospitality,
drawing upon the intrinsic sense of pride and service in our people, the
members of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association invite you to
join us, on this year's World Tourism Day, in spreading the word of the
critical importance of universal accessibility to our communities and
our islands.
It is not only a good thing to do, it is the right thing to do.
Happy World Tourism Day!
About the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)
The
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean's
leading association representing tourism interests for national hotel
and tourism associations. For more than 50 years, the Caribbean Hotel
and Tourism Association has been the backbone of the Caribbean
hospitality industry. Working together with 1,000 hotel and allied
members and 32 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the
Caribbean's future and helping members to grow their business. Whether
navigating new worlds like social media, sustainability, legislative
issues, emerging technologies, data and intelligence or looking for
avenues and ideas to better market and manage businesses, CHTA is
helping members on matters that matter most.