The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is honored to support the theme and aims of
World Tourism Day this year: “TOURISM FOR ALL – Promoting Universal Accessibility.”
Most of our members have recognized the importance of ensuring their properties, facilities
and offerings are accessible to all visitors regardless of their physical capacities. They have also
have expended time and resources sharing best practices to create the infrastructure and
experiences for our guests as well as residents of the Caribbean.

According to Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai,
15 percent of the world’s population is estimated to live with some form of disability. “That is 1
billion people around the world who may be unable to enjoy the privilege of knowing other
cultures, experience nature at its fullest and experience the thrill of embarking on a journey to
explore new sights,” he stated.

We also recognize, as Mr. Rifai pointed out, that sooner or later, at some point in our lives, we
all benefit from universal accessibility in tourism due to an ageing population, or because we
travel with family and friends and need to get around unhindered.

For these reasons, we are joining the call to recognize the right of all people to experience
worry-free travel to the Caribbean – one of the most desirable places in the world to visit, live,
work and do business regardless of our differing abilities.

As we aim to ‘wow the world’ with exceptional service and hospitality, drawing upon the
intrinsic sense of pride and service in our people, the members of the Caribbean Hotel and
Tourism Association invite you to join us, on this year’s World Tourism Day, in spreading the
word of the critical importance of universal accessibility to our communities and our islands.
It is not only a good thing to do, it is the right thing to do.

Happy World Tourism Day!

About the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)
The Caribbean Hotel Tourism & Association (CHTA) is the Caribbean’s leading associations
representing tourism interests for national hotel and tourism associations. For more than 50
years, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association has been the backbone of the Caribbean
hospitality industry. Working together with 1,000 hotel and allied members and 32 National
Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s future and helping members to grow their
business. Whether navigating new worlds like social media, sustainability, legislative issues,
emerging technologies, data and intelligence or looking for avenues and ideas to better market
and manage businesses, CHTA is helping members on matters that matter most.