Caribbean: New communication tools for tourism and health

23-07-24

The Caribbean region will benefit from an initiative aimed at expanding the use of innovative tools and resources to improve the health and safety of visitors, residents and all tourism stakeholders.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) collaborated on the “Regional Tourism Health Capacity Enhancement and Digitization Project: Promoting the Health of Caribbean Travelers,” with funding and technical assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This collaboration seeks to mitigate the negative effects of pandemics and natural disasters on tourism.

A key outcome of the project was the development of comprehensive communication and social media plans, along with a health and tourism crisis communication toolkit to support healthier and safer tourism in the Caribbean. These tools are designed for public and private sector tourism partners.

On June 11, project participants partnered with experts from the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology during a webinar to share knowledge about the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season forecast. In addition, training, awareness and use of the crisis communication toolkit, along with health safety resources from CARPHA, were discussed.

The Crisis Communication Toolkit consists of five components that provide access to information on preparedness and response to public health threats. It includes Tourism and Health Program (THP) tools, promotional resources, media relations materials, a social media guide, and correspondence templates.

The components of the online toolkit were developed with feedback from tourism authorities in pilot countries such as Barbados, Belize and the Bahamas, as well as input from CARPHA, CHTA and CTO. These resources will be available online to CTO and CHTA members.

Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary General and CEO of CTO, commented that these tools are crucial during hurricane season, underscoring the importance of collaboration and communication with guests and stakeholders to mitigate the effects of the global climate crisis.

Dr. Lisa Indar, CARPHA's interim executive director, said these tools not only promote healthier and safer tourism, but also healthier populations. In the aftermath of hurricanes, communicable diseases are likely to increase, and these tools will enhance efforts to mitigate these threats and protect residents and visitors.

Vanessa Ledesma, CHTA's interim executive director and CEO, emphasized the importance of planning and collaboration in response to the climate crisis. She reaffirmed CHTA's commitment to strengthening preparedness and response efforts through the implementation of these new tools and training modules.

The project also includes technological enhancement and digitization of regional visitor information management systems and capacity building, with 16 online courses to be implemented soon.