The Caribbean tourism industry thrives on its people. From the warm smiles greeting guests at reception to the skilled hands crafting unforgettable culinary experiences, our human capital is the bedrock of our region’s reputation for exceptional hospitality. Recognizing this fundamental truth, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) People Development Initiative (PDI) is leading a strategic shift towards a future where talent development isn’t just intuitive, but insight-driven. We are moving decisively to harness the power of metrics and data analytics to build a stronger, more resilient, and equitable workforce.

Beyond Good Intentions: The Imperative of Data

For years, people development often relied on tradition, anecdotal evidence, and reactive measures. While well-intentioned, this approach lacked the precision needed to address complex challenges like skills gaps, employee retention, leadership pipelines, and diversity & inclusion effectively. The PDI champions a new paradigm: using concrete data to illuminate the path forward.

• Measuring Impact: How do our training programs actually affect guest satisfaction scores or employee productivity? Data provides the answer, allowing us to refine investments for maximum ROI.
• Identifying Gaps: Analyzing turnover rates, exit interviews, and skills assessments pinpoints specific areas needing intervention, whether it’s supervisory training, technical upskilling, or improving workplace culture.
• Tracking Progress: Setting clear, measurable goals for diversity initiatives, leadership representation, or employee engagement allows us to track progress transparently and hold ourselves accountable.
• Predicting Needs: Workforce analytics can help forecast future talent requirements based on market trends, new property openings, and guest expectations, enabling proactive planning.

The UNFPA X CHTA Forum: A Launchpad for Insight-Driven Action

This commitment to data-driven people development takes center stage at the highly anticipated Regional Forum ‘The Multiplier Effect: Women Shaping the Future of Caribbean Tourism’ on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. This landmark event is not just a discussion; it’s the official launchpad for the pivotal Women in Tourism Survey Results. Register to participate online via Zoom at this link here.

This comprehensive survey, a collaboration between CHTA and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), provides unprecedented, region-specific data on:

• The current representation and experiences of women across all levels of the Caribbean tourism workforce.
• Key barriers to advancement and leadership opportunities.
• Specific challenges related to safety, work-life balance, and equitable compensation.
• Opportunities for targeted interventions to empower women and unlock their full potential.

Why This Data Matters for Everyone

The insights from this survey are not solely about gender equity – though that is a critical moral and economic imperative. They represent a powerful business intelligence tool for the entire industry:

1. Unlocking Potential: Understanding the barriers women face allows us to develop targeted programs, mentorship initiatives, and policies that tap into a vast reservoir of talent currently underutilized.
2. Improving Retention: Addressing issues identified in the survey (e.g., harassment, lack of flexibility, limited career paths) directly contributes to retaining valuable employees, reducing costly turnover.
3. Enhancing Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to a safe, equitable, and thriving workplace for all strengthens our employer brand and attracts top talent.
4. Driving Performance: Diverse and inclusive workplaces are consistently linked to higher innovation, better problem-solving, and improved financial performance.

The PDI: Your Partner in Data-Driven Development

The launch of the Women in Tourism survey results at the UNFPA X CHTA Forum exemplifies the PDI’s core mission: to transform people development from an art into a science. We are actively working to:

• Promote best practices in collecting and analyzing HR and talent metrics.
• Develop frameworks for measuring the effectiveness of learning and development programs.
• Advocate for policies supported by robust data.
• Facilitate the sharing of insights and successful strategies across the CHTA membership.

Join Us at the Forefront

The UNFPA X CHTA Forum is a must-attend event for every leader invested in the future success of Caribbean tourism. It’s where the crucial data from the Women in Tourism Survey will be unveiled, sparking essential dialogue and action planning.

Together, armed with powerful insights, we can build a tourism workforce that is not only highly skilled and motivated but also truly representative, equitable, and positioned to deliver unparalleled Caribbean hospitality for generations to come. Invest in our people, invest in our data, invest in our future.

Register for the UNFPA X CHTA Forum today! 

The CHTA People Development Initiative is dedicated to advancing the Caribbean hospitality workforce through strategic initiatives, partnerships, and data-driven insights. We believe our people are our competitive advantage.