(Roseau Dominica – July 4, 2011) Mr. Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) met with representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA), and Ministry of Trade on Thursday June 30, 2011. During the presentation, appropriately titled “What Happens To Your Money”, Mr Riley outlined some benefits available to CTO members through marketing, human resource development and training, and advocacy representation, among others.
Through its Human Resources department, CTO is proposing the Total Visitor Satisfaction (TVS) programme, which proposes destination certification on a series of criteria, including user-friendliness, local accessibility, environmental responsibility, and overall visitor appeal. TVS aims at making the Caribbean a region of clean, efficient, environmentally conscious, hospitable destinations focused on satisfying current visitors, generating repeat business, and encouraging them to become ambassadors for our countries.
Whispers from Locals, is a new marketing programme that allows travellers to discover insider destination information not usually found on websites or in brochures or magazines through stories and tips as told by locals. The Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) is another marketing avenue used by the CTO, in partnership with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) to promote, protect, advance, and enhance the Caribbean brand through web, print, trade and consumer shows, advertising programmes and extensive public relations coverage of the region and individual destinations
The private sector representatives showed great interest in the Caribbean Hotel Energy Efficiency Action Programme (CHENACT), a two year programme meant to drive the Caribbean hotels to implement energy efficient practices. Although the programme is coming to a close the CTO, CHTA, and Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) are seeking funding to implement another round.
Over the last few years, the CTO has been championing the lobby to the United Kingdom government against the new Air Passenger Duty (APD) on behalf of the region and the Secretary General was pleased to announce the progress, and noted that the organization continues to address concerns in the region related to access into and within the region.
Following the presentation, Mr. Riley and DDA CEO, Colin Piper hosted members of the local media in a short press conference.
For more detailed information on CTO programmes visit www.onecaribbean.org. For more information on Dominica and upcoming programmes, contact Discover Dominica Authority at 767 448 2045. Or visit Dominica’s official website: www.discoverdominica.com, or follow Dominica on Twitter and Facebook, and take a look at our videos on YouTube.
“Whispers” is an excellent free marketing tip for such a diverse island as Dominica. I’m whispering “drinking a fresh jellynut at sundown” love this island!!