MIAMI (October 26, 2017) – Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) President Karolin
Troubetzkoy told Caribbean-American residents in South Florida that the response to the trade
association’s recently launched One Caribbean Family initiative has been extremely
encouraging.
The initiative allows hotels across the region to help those who have been adversely impacted
by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, while also highlighting that more than 70 percent of Caribbean
destinations have not been affected and are ready to welcome visitors as usual.
Speaking earlier this month to veteran Caribbean-American broadcaster Pat Montague on
WAVS 1170 AM radio in South Florida, Troubetzkoy, who operates two hotels in St. Lucia (Anse
Chastanet and Jade Mountain), said the response to the initiative augurs well for the future of
Caribbean unity and cooperation.
“We are very pleased with the response not just by the hotels, but also by large companies like
tour operators, travel agents and travel advisors. Everybody wants to play a role and make a
pledge. I love the fact that we are all coming together as a family … because there’s so much
that needs to be done right now,” she said, adding that in the long term, schools and training
institutes will need to be rebuilt and jobs need to be created.
She explained that, in the past, when destinations were affected by storms, CHTA asked
member hotels to provide auction packages, but with the enormity of devastation following the
September storms, the association felt that more needed to be done.
“Those of us that are open for business are going to benefit from business that was meant for
other islands … so we should try to give back,” she asserted. She encouraged hotels to make a
pledge for new bookings, which will go towards the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund.
Following the hurricanes, she said, CHTA also realized that much of the world did not really
understand the geography of the region, so the association launched www.caribbeantravelupdate.com to convey that more than 70 percent of the
Caribbean was still open for business.
Troubetzkoy believes it is important to remind travelers many islands were not in the path of
the hurricanes, and are absolutely welcoming tourists. “Visiting the Caribbean is one of the best
ways to support our region’s economy, especially when we have some countries and territories
in the midst of hurricane recovery.” The tourism leader wants assistance with helping the world
understand that the Caribbean encompasses about a million square miles and more than 7,000
islands.
Troubetzkoy has also called on the Caribbean Diaspora to rally around the One Caribbean
Family movement, and to continue making contributions to help the region rebound.
Hotels and tourism trade partners interested in participating in the campaign should complete
the pledge form at https://chtaforms.weebly.com/one-caribbean-family-form.html .
Participating hotels and trade partners will be showcased online and through a public relations
and social media campaign.
Donations are tax deductible where applicable and can also be made directly online
at www.tourismcares.org/caribbean or by check payable to Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund
c/o Tourism Cares, 20 Vernon St., Norwood, MA 02062, USA or by donating securities.
Questions may be addressed to vanessa@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com. For travel updates, visit www.caribbeantravelupdate.com .