Eliana Willis

Frank Comito has stepped down as chief executive and director general of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA).
During his tenure he led the association through the Covid-19 pandemic, several devastating hurricanes and numerous global challenges impacting the industry.
The transition to new leadership comes at the conclusion of nearly 40 years of service to local and regional private sector organisations in the Caribbean.
In a message to members, Comito, who will serve as a part-time special advisor to the organisation, said he was proud of how quickly and effectively CHTA adapted over the past ten months, working in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that Covid-19 remained a critical concern, and declared the industry needs CHTA, its regional public sector ally, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), and local private and public sector tourism associations and entities working together towards the industry’s recovery now more than ever.

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“Our work has a bottom-line impact on restoring tourism and economies,” he stated.
Looking to the future of Caribbean tourism and CHTA, he voiced optimism that despite the headwinds facing the tourism sector and the association, industry leadership working with local and regional tourism associations will address immediate needs, mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and help to steer a course to the future.
Comito was hired by CHTA six years ago when he made a five-year commitment to help refocus the organisation and address several longstanding challenges the organisation was facing.
The leadership of the CHTA had endorsed Vanessa Ledesma in assuming the post of acting chief executive officer and director general.
Formerly chief operations officer with CHTA, she has been noted for her skills, experience, integrity and deep passion for the industry.
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The president of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has predicted the Caribbean will see a return of tourism to the region “faster than many parts of the world.
Pablo Torres said this was thanks to the protocols and partnerships implemented throughout the region to help lessen the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Averring 2021 would be a year of recovery, Torres declared: “Tourism is our key to recovery, to restoring the livelihood of thousands of employees in our industry, to reopening our doors, and welcoming our guests.”
In addition to replenishing tax revenues to cash-strapped governments, Torres noted that a tourism revival would refresh and renew “the minds, bodies and spirits of millions of travellers who will discover that the Caribbean is the best place on earth to recover from the ravage of this pandemic”.
Describing Covid-19 as an unprecedented challenge, he applauded the Caribbean’s rapid response to the pandemic, which helped to contain the spread of the virus more effectively than many other parts of the world.

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He saluted the “countless health heroes” whose dedication and sacrifices had averted a great deal of human suffering and have helped to set the stage for the economic recovery the region will be experiencing in the coming months.
Torres commended not only health care professionals but also front- and back-of- house workers across many industries, including tourism, airports and airline personnel, immigration and customs officers, and ground transportation workers: ”You have led by example, providing exemplary services while adhering to essential health safety protocols. We are all in debt to your service.”
From territory- and country-specific Covid-19 testing requirements and stringent cleaning and sanitisation protocols in place at accommodations providers to social distancing and face mask policies and rules limiting capacity at restaurants and other gathering places, Torres noted that the Caribbean hospitality sector has gone to great lengths to protect and ensure the health and safety of both residents and visitors.
Recalling that the Caribbean and its tourism sector has weathered many crises over the years and has always rebounded, Torres described 2020 as a year when CHTA members were challenged to do more with less, including significant revenue shortfalls.
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Officials at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) have argued closing countries is counterproductive and will seriously delay the economic recovery.
The comments come as a number of nations refuse to accept flights from the UK as fears of a new variant of Covid-19 spread.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC chief executive, said: “While protecting public health is paramount, blanket travel bans cannot be the answer.
“They have not worked in the past and they will not work now.”
“If a comprehensive and quick turnaround testing regime were in place at airports across the country to test all travellers before they depart, it would ensure only those infected with Covid-19 are isolated and are prevented from travelling.
“There would be no need for countries to introduce damaging and counterproductive wholesale bans on UK travellers.

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“People should not be deterred from travelling because they simply cannot find or arrange to get tested at a local testing centre or lab.
“We need to make it much easier for travellers to get a test prior to their journey.”
There are fears the new variant of Covid-19 could spread significantly faster than existing strains, but scientists argue more work needs to be done.
“Travellers pose no higher risk than other members of the community if they follow all the internationally recognised health safety protocols, including the mandatory wearing of masks and regular testing,” said Guevara.
“While we understand the concern and need to curb the spread of Covid-19, the growing number of blunt travel bans are incredibly disruptive and economically damaging.
“We should not underestimate the terrible social impact of increasing isolation and its effect on mental health.
“Every sector of the economy, not just tourism, will suffer – as will those countries imposing the ban as their own economies feel the impact of border closures and the loss of business.
“The tourism sector will be critical to powering the economic recovery, which is why it is absolutely crucial that action must be taken now to save it. If not, it will collapse, and millions of people will lose their jobs.”
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ToursByLocals has appointed travel communications agency Lotus to manage all UK PR activity.
The London-based company is charged with raising awareness of its globe-spanning, unique and customisable private tour experiences.
ToursByLocals provides travel-enthusiasts with highly curated tour experiences in 188 countries.
Since its inception in 2008, the company has connected nearly five thousand vetted guides with 1.5 million global travellers.
ToursByLocals allows people to travel like an ‘insider’, accessing local knowledge and authentic hidden gems on a tour that is unique to them.

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Conveniently removing the guesswork out of researching and exploring a new city, shore excursion or remote outpost, ToursByLocals also economically serves the destinations its travellers visit.
Nikki Hellyer, vice president, marketing, ToursByLocals said: “We are delighted to be working with Lotus to establish a greater presence in the UK market.
“We are excited about inspiring British travellers to explore destinations in a deeper and more meaningful way.
“Our local, personalised tours, led by exceptional guides, provide more enriching moments and better travel experiences for solo travellers, couples and multi-generational families alike.”
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International arrivals fell by 72 per cent over the first ten months of 2020, with restrictions on travel, low consumer confidence and a global struggle to contain the Covid-19 virus, all contributing to the worst year on record in the history of tourism.
According to the latest tourism data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), destinations welcomed 900 million fewer international tourists between January and October when compared with the same period of 2019.
This translates into a loss of US$935 billion in export revenues from international tourism, more than ten times the loss in 2009 under the impact of the global economic crisis.
UNWTO secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili, said: “Since the start of this crisis, UNWTO has provided governments and businesses with trusted data showing the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on global tourism.
“Even as the news of a vaccine boosts traveller confidence, there is still a long road to recovery.

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“We thus need to step up our efforts to safely open borders while supporting tourism jobs and businesses.
“It is ever clearer that tourism is one of the most affected sectors by this unprecedented crisis.”
Based on the current evidence, UNWTO expects international arrivals to decline by 70-75 per cent for the whole of 2020.
In this case, global tourism will have returned to levels of 30 years ago, with one billion fewer arrivals and a loss of some US$ 1.1 trillion in international tourism receipts.
This massive drop in tourism due to the pandemic could result in an economic loss of US$2 trillion in world GDP.
Asia and the Pacific, the first region to suffer the impact of the pandemic and the one with the highest level of travel restrictions to date, saw an 82 per cent decrease in arrivals in the first ten months of 2020.
The Middle East recorded a 73 per cent decline, while Africa saw a 69 per cent drop.
International arrivals in both Europe and the Americas declined by 68 per cent.
Europe recorded smaller decreases of 72 per cent and 76 per cent in September and October compared to other world regions, following the slight though short-lived recovery in the summer peak months of July and August.
The resurgence of the virus across the region has led to the reintroduction of some forms of travel restrictions.
However, Europe is the region in which more destinations (91 per cent as of November) have eased such restrictions, mainly among Schengen member states.
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TUI UK has launched its first-ever winter holiday programme to Aruba in an attempt to give customers even more choice for some winter sun.
Flights from London Gatwick start today, with the first departure fully sold out.
The Dutch Caribbean island is on the quarantine-free list – meaning holidaymakers do not have to self-isolate on their return home.
In response, the travel company is launching with an immediate programme of seven- and 14-night holidays.

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Richard Sofer, commercial and business development director at TUI, said: “Aruba is a quality destination with amazing hotels, fantastic beaches and guaranteed winter sunshine. We know our customers need a holiday now more than ever, so we’re really excited to be extending this destination into winter, giving our customers more choice.”
TUI has previously only ever operated to Aruba in the summer but has decided to add Aruba flights to ensure UK travellers have even more exciting holiday options this winter.
Aruba Tourism Authority chief executive, Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, commented: “In a year which has been so challenging for our vital tourism industry – and that of destinations around the world – this is wonderfully welcome news.
“TUI have been a great supporter of Aruba over the years and their quick decision to fly here this winter is exciting news for the island, hoteliers and others in the hospitality industry.”
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