The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association hosted Jamaica’s first-ever Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day to promote sustainable tourism and community engagement efforts.
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) celebrated a significant milestone with the launch of the inaugural Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day at this year’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The groundbreaking event, held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, showcased sustainable tourism development with a focus on giving back to local communities in host country Jamaica.
“The Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day has ignited a spirit of collaboration and innovation among tourism industry stakeholders. The enthusiasm and commitment of delegates to working together on sustainable practices is laying the foundations for a more integrated and collaborative approach to tourism development,” said Nicola Madden Greig, CHTA Chairperson.
Representatives hard at work at the SOS Children’s Village in Barret Town.
Participants planted 33 jackfruit and breadfruit trees in beautiful Croydon, a mountain town, while learning more about sustainable agricultural practices. Participants learned about the 1:1:1 reforestation initiative, which aims to provide one tree per year for every 1.2 million school-aged children in Jamaica, promoting food sustainability and carbon sequestration.
Another heart-warming highlight was the visit to the SOS Children’s Village in Barret Town, where participants took part in painting, carpentry repairs and setting up an agricultural project in the village. Over 40 delegates attended, with many generously donating clothing and school supplies, making a lasting impact on the children’s lives.
From left: Donna Munroe of the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, Ruben Rosado of Holiday Inn Puerto Rico, Zaria Lynch Lewis and Rachel Nathaniel of HADCO Experiences during a beach cleanup in Montego Bay, Jamaica last month.
The delegation also participated in a beach cleanup at Montego Bay Marine Park, an activity that highlighted the importance of preserving and restoring coastal resources and provided an inspiring hands-on experience for all involved. Approximately 100 pounds of trash was collected, making a significant contribution to the conservation efforts of the marine park.
Rachael Nathaniel from Hadco Experiences commented on her team’s participation in the beach clean-up: “It was great to be able to take part in this activity. We represent two ecological facilities in Trinidad so caring for nature is very important to us and we are happy to be able to give back to Jamaica.”
Marketplace Responsible Tourism Day has a positive impact on host communities and is a valuable platform for learning, collaboration and engagement on sustainable tourism practices. It aligns with the global trend towards more responsible travel and demonstrates the Caribbean’s dedication to leading the way in sustainable tourism.
Theodore is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the TravelDailyNews Media Network and is responsible for business development and planning long-term opportunities for TravelDailyNews.
