“Commitment and collaboration between the public and private sectors at an unprecedented level is essential if the Caribbean is to realize the potential which tourism presents in elevating and transforming the economies of the region and generating employment at all levels,” stated Emil Lee, president of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA).
These observations were reaffirmed during a recent visit to The Bahamas by CHTA President Emil Lee where he addressed members of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and met with leaders from the public and private sectors.
Addressing BHTA members, Lee advised that the foundation for a viable and sustainable public-private sector effort must be grounded in transparency, trust, dialogue, common measurable goals, and a recognition that the currencies which motivate the public and private sectors differ. He emphasized that through collaboration the end common goals of building strong and competitive tourism driven economies, creating employment, and increasing tax revenue can be realized.
“The Bahamas has distinguished itself in the region as a model for points of public-private sector collaboration,” according to Lee. “CHTA and all of the region’s stakeholders need to learn from one another and our successes and challenges, with CHTA serving as an information and change broker,” he added.
During the membership meeting BHTA President Stuart Bowe and others led discussions on key areas of the association’s work including taxation, airlift, energy efficiency, education and training, and culinary development, all points where some level of public-private sector collaboration underpins the success of the organization’s initiatives and the destination’s value.
Lee also met with Bahamas Tourism Minister The Hon. Obie Wilchcombe. A second meeting was scheduled during his visit at the Minister’s invitation to discuss in detail and expand upon areas of mutual interest from their first visit.
Looking ahead, all parties committed to work together to improve the industry’s competitiveness.
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com