The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their collaboration in promoting the tourism sector in the region as a key driver of sustainable development.

The MOU aims to enhance the cooperation between UNWTO and CTO in areas such as the preparation of regional strategies and action plans for the development of sustainable tourism, the promotion of tourism investment, market intelligence and capacity building.

In signing the MOU with CTO’s Secretary General, Hugh Riley, the UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, stated that “We are very pleased to reinforce our collaboration with CTO, who is already an active and highly respected UNWTO Affiliate Member. This partnership enables our two organizations to work alongside on matters that will further advance sustainable development in the Caribbean and increase the competitiveness and resilience of the sector in the region.”

“As the organization responsible for leading sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean, the CTO is constantly seeking new ways to identify how our region’s economy and local communities in particular can gain the maximum advantage from tourism. Our collaboration with the UNWTO allows us to take this discussion to the global stage and to access international training, knowledge and resources for our members”, said the CTO Secretary General, Hugh Riley.

The CTO is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of over 30 countries and territories as well as a myriad of private sector allied members.