Sixty-one (61) tourism professionals from twenty-three (23) countries and territories around the Greater Caribbean are set to positively impact their economies and communities
Sixty-one (61) tourism professionals from twenty-three (23) countries and territories around the Greater Caribbean are set to positively impact their economies and communities, following the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) “Rethinking Tourism Safety and Security Crisis Response in the Greater Caribbean” capacity building workshop.
The interactive course emphasised policy formulation and implementation as crucial tenets of responding to security threats to the tourism industry and was held collaboratively among the ACS, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the CARICOM Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS). Participants were exposed to theoretical concepts, specialist experience, and practical exercises that would all contribute to a safer and more resilient tourism region for both residents and visitors alike.
Attendees found the course excellent and timely, and reported that the training adequately responded to health, safety and security policy concerns facing the tourism sector. “The workshop was very informative and the presenters were well-organized. The information imparted was relevant to the ongoing pandemic crisis which is currently impacting on everyday lives,” shared one attendee.
Another participant opined that the capacity-building activity was “very well organised, informative, and gave participants a roadmap to respond to crisis via policy formulation,” with another Member adding that “more in these series [were] needed for the future”
The “Rethinking Tourism Safety and Security Crisis Response in the Greater Caribbean” training is one of the activities the Association has conceptualised and implemented to help Members respond to the coronavirus pandemic that continues to devastate Greater Caribbean lives and livelihoods. The workshop illustrated how sound policy design and formulation, coupled with the application of behavioural economics, could all dovetail to foster more resilient populations, destinations and visitor experiences in the Greater Caribbean. The Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in Washington, D.C. and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) both brought expert perspectives and practical experiences to the realm of security threats and health crises, completing the holistic approach in response to possible and ongoing safety threats to the tourism sector.
The training forms part of a wider ACS initiative to reinforce capacity building among its membership in Sustainable Tourism, with a view to aiding the recovery of an industry that is indispensable to the region. The ACS is pleased to continue forging strategic partnerships and collaborations with highly credible agencies that can deliver meaningful training activities to strengthen the technical and policy-making capacity of the peoples of the Greater Caribbean region.
L'Association des Etats de la Caraïbe est une organisation de consultation, de coopération et d'action concertée dans le commerce, le transport, le tourisme durable et les catastrophes naturelles dans la Grande Caraïbe et est composé de 25 pays membres et 7 pays membres associés. Les Etats Membres sont Antigua-et-Barbuda, les Bahamas, la Barbade, Belize, Colombie, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominique, République dominicaine, El Salvador, Grenade, Guatemala, Guyana, Haïti, Honduras, Mexique, Jamaïque, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint-Kitts-Et-Nevis, Sainte-Lucie, Saint-Vincent-et-les Grenadines, Suriname, Trinité-et-Tobago et le Venezuela. Ses membres associés sont Aruba, Curaçao, (France au titre de la Guyane française, Saint-Barthélemy et Saint-Martin), Guadeloupe, (Les Pays-Bas au nom de Bonaire, Saba et Saint-Eustache), Martinique, Sint Maarten, Îles Turques et Caïques.