In the wake of the catastrophic impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on some member countries, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation is adding a special session to the upcoming State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Grenada. The event will focus on how to recover and rebuild after a major disaster.

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association has released its latest assessment of the impact of Hurricane Irma, reporting widespread disruption across the region.

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has called for a formal partnership between the region’s tourism sector and those responsible for implementing the United States-Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act.

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the region’s tourism development agency, is seeking to strengthen its relationship with Emirates Holidays, the largest airline tour operator in the Middle East, as it seeks to broaden the Caribbean’s appeal in the Arabian Market.

The Bahamas has been elected chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, with the election of minister of tourism Obie Wilchcombe. Following his election Wilchcombe stated: “I intend to build upon what my predecessor Richard Sealy of Barbados began and I also intend to build on the relationship with the private sector.

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has appointed Dominican-native Amanda Charles as sustainable tourism specialist, effective immediately. Charles will coordinate and implement the organisation’s sustainable tourism programme aimed at enhancing the development, growth, quality, competitiveness and sustainability of Caribbean tourism. She Charles is a tourism professional with several years of experience, having worked most recently as the adviser to the directorate of sustainable tourism at the Association of Caribbean States in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, a position she held for five years.