CHTA Chief Calls on Strengthening Ties between Public, Private Sectors
By Jorge Coromina
Frank Comito, CEO of the Caribbean Hotels Tourism Association (CHTA), said that tourism-dependent countries must build ties and strengthen public-private relations at the regional level to boost the development of the industry.
This statement was made in his participation as a guest speaker at the October Monthly Lunch of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Dominican Republic (AMCHAMDR).
Comito, who presented a paper entitled “Tourism Outlook: Trends Affecting the Global Economy, the Caribbean and the Dominican Republic”, called for countries, organizations and stakeholders to work together to achieve substantial growth in the industry, on the basis of innovation, collaboration and continuous reinvention of destinations.
He also said that the Caribbean is one of the most tourism-dependent regions in the world. He indicated that in most countries in the region, this industry accounts for over a quarter of its income and the trend indicates that this dependence will go on.
He said that of the top 10 countries in the world that are most dependent on this industry to contribute to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), half a dozen are located in the Caribbean region, a figure that grows to eight nations when linked to job creation.
This shows, he said, that the tourism sector has the greatest impact on the economies of the countries of the region, as it is the largest generator of jobs, income currencies and economic activity.
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He also revealed that in the third quarter of the year there was a downward trend in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the two largest markets in the region. The latter, he quoted, was directly linked to the media wave of information that occurred in the month of May.
“In communication crisis management, the objectives must be aimed at preventing bad situations from getting worse, at protecting residents and visitors, at minimizing the economic impact and safeguarding the integrity and image of the country brand in question,” said the expert invited to the country for the first time by the American Chamber of Commerce.
“Leaders need to come up with a brisk perspective in order to meet the demands and expectations of new customers,” he concluded.
