The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) have created a partnership to establish and promote health and safety protocols and practices in the tourism workplace in the region.
The CTO secretary general and chief executive officer, Hugh Riley, the executive director of CARPHA, Dr. James Hospedales and the CHTA director general and CEO, Jeffrey S. Vasser, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at a news conference today at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel in New York City, home of the annual CTO Caribbean Week which celebrates Caribbean tourism and the rich heritage and culture.
“As the Caribbean’s principle economic earner, the tourism sector must be vigilant and proactive regarding health and safety issues that can adversely affect the health of our tourism workforce or that of our visitors,” said Hugh Riley, executive director of CARPHA.
“As the organization leading sustainable tourism in the Caribbean, the CTO is pleased to partner with the regional public health agency and the umbrella tourism private sector entity to face these challenges head on in a structured and collective manner,” he continued.
Through the MOU the three organizations will collaborate in food and environmental safety training and certification, safety and environmental standards certification and recognition systems, health and wellness programs and business strategies for sustainability of the tourism and health program.
The agreement is for an initial two year period.
Caribbean Tourism Organization, www.OneCaribbean.org