PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Emil Lee is urging international investors to use the recently launched Caribbean Tourism and Hospitality Investment Guide to learn about the “incredible opportunities” which can be realised from investing in the Caribbean.Lee noted that despite its growing pains, the Caribbean tourism industry continues to expand and diversify.
“Public-private initiatives at the regional and destination levels are actively addressing those issues which are important to the industry globally… lowering utility costs, improving the visitor experience, holding the line on taxes, incentivizing investments, and maximizing productivity through investments in our people,” he commented.
The publication, launched at the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS) in Puerto Rico, showcases a wide range of investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector in CTO member states and lists incentives that Caribbean Governments are offering to attract new business.
The publication, which was also distributed at CTO “Caribbean Week’ business events in Toronto, was conceptualised and produced by marketing, communications and investment promotion specialist, Sandra Ann Baptiste, who was the first head of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO INVEST).
The Investment Guide focuses on the performance of the region’s tourism and hospitality sector and Caribbean economies. It also highlights increased airlift to the region and new investments in the industry – a reflection of investor confidence in the region.
“Ours is an attractive and desirable destination with a strong, competitive advantage due to our natural resources and authentic experiences,” CTO Chairman Richard Sealy, Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, said. “Investing in the Caribbean makes good business sense. We know it and we are proud to produce a guide that illustrates it.”