DHTA reports new talk series, health insurance for members, partnership with DCFH

The launch of a new health insurance benefit, the expansion of membership and sponsorship base, a notable public-private partnership, and the recap of its latest ACTalks presentation, are all included in recent published developments of the Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association.

Healthcare coverage for tourism workers is a key milestone, as the DHTA announced that it partnered with Sagicor Life Inc. to introduce a group health insurance plan available to all active members. This initiative aims to improve affordability and access to healthcare for hospitality employees and small tourism operators, addressing a long-standing sector need.

DHTA President Kitwani Ferreira expressed gratitude for the partnership, noting, “We extend our sincere thanks to Sagicor for partnering with us to make this long-standing goal of the Association a reality.”

In addition, the DHTA says it has welcomed eleven new members over the past four months, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen industry unity and advocacy. Furthermore, the organization recognized the support of its growing roster of corporate sponsors, which play a vital role in funding various programs and initiatives.

Notable among these are J. Astaphan & Co. Limited as a Platinum Sponsor, with Gold Sponsors including Tomlin Insurance Brokers, Archipelago Trading Limited, Belfast Estate Limited, and Auto Trade Ltd. A Silver Sponsor, Republic Bank (EC) Limited, was also mentioned.

Another milestone highlighted in the recent updates is the successful securing of funding through a public-private partnership to support the recommissioning of the Hyperbaric Chamber at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. With a clear stake in this project, the Association describes it as significant for the island’s adventure tourism infrastructure, particularly in enhancing safety standards within the dive industry.

Once operational, the Hyperbaric Chamber will bolster Dominica’s capability to manage dive-related emergencies, thereby improving safety for visiting divers and reinforcing the island’s reputation as a responsible and high-quality nature tourism destination, said the release.

Finally, DHTA hosted its inaugural ACTalk for 2025 in July, in collaboration with Tomlin Brokers, centered on the vital subject of insurance within the hospitality industry. The discussion offered actionable insights into various coverage choices, highlighting opportunities, essential requirements, and possible gaps—enabling members to make well-informed decisions and effectively manage long-term business risks. ACTalks, says the DHTA, are an integral component of the continuous initiative to provide members with practical knowledge and resources to address key challenges and seize opportunities in the tourism sector.