'One Caribbean Family' giving back

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is helping give back to countries devastated by this year’s record hurricane season, while also highlighting that more than 70 percent of Caribbean destinations have not been affected and are ready to welcome visitors as usual.

Dubbed the "One Caribbean Family" campaign, the new program has been developed to help the region's tourism industry get back on its feet and will serve as a hub for hotels, travel advisors and tour operators who would like to make a contribution through guest bookings. Donations made through the initiative are sent to the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund managed by Tourism Cares, a non-profit organization which has partnered with CHTA to anchor the tourism industry's hurricane recovery efforts in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund allows tourism industry stakeholders and friends of the region throughout the world to pool their resources in support of vulnerable, devastated parts of the Caribbean that welcome millions of visitors in a region that supports 2.4 million tourism-related jobs. The Fund's focus is on the recovery of islands directly affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, complementing existing relief efforts by giving the tourism industry a way to leverage its resources to help the region bounce back, the CHTA said.

"We want to show our solidarity with the Caribbean countries affected by these storms, not just in words but with actions that can bring relief to those in need," said Karolin Troubetzkoy, president of CHTA and executive director of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resorts in St. Lucia. "How can any hotel or hotel chain in the region and our trade partners feel good about securing incremental business as a result of hotel closures due to hurricanes? While this may sound idealistic, the need to come together and act as one Caribbean tourism family has never been greater.”

Troubetzkoy’s company is pledging to donate up to $50 for each booking for travel between Oct. 1, 2017 and Dec. 19, 2018. Guests wishing to make additional contributions to the Fund will receive resort credits up to $250, depending on their contribution.

"We started this pledge for direct reservations and bookings through our travel advisors," Troubetzkoy said, "but now we are also including some wholesalers who will match our donation."

Hotels and tourism trade partners interested in participating in the One Caribbean Family promotion and support campaign can complete the pledge form here. Participating hotels and trade partners will be showcased online and through a public relations and social media campaign.

The CHTA also recently launched www.caribbeantravelupdate.com, a new website showcasing all Caribbean destinations and detailing their post-hurricane status.