MIAMI, USA — Caribbean hoteliers are pushing back against President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement.

The 50-year-old Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), a federation of 32 private sector-led organisations throughout the Caribbean basin, said weekend that it was standing by its previous position “to join with the nations throughout the Caribbean in supporting the adoption of the Paris climate change agreement”.In a press statement, the CHTA said: “The Caribbean is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to the escalating effects of climate change. The socio-economic consequences from rising sea levels and temperatures, increasingly violent storms and severe droughts, oil spills, mismanagement of waste, and coral bleaching are having mounting consequences and, left unchecked, threaten the very viability of the region’s economies and societies, and the health and welfare of Caribbean people.“Countries and businesses throughout the region, particularly tourism-related enterprises, are increasingly adopting policies and practices aimed at preserving, protecting, and enhancing the environment. This is important to the Caribbean’s own self-interests and also those of the world, with millions of visitors enjoying the incredible natural beauty the region offers.“The CHTA urges the region’s countries, businesses, and residents to do their part in supporting sound environmental practices. It is important to ensure that the Caribbean remains a safe, secure, and viable partner, benefiting its neighbours and major trading partners.”The CHTA is the Caribbean’s leading association representing tourism interests for national hotel and tourism associations and is seen as the main regional lobby group for the Caribbean hospitality industry. It works together with 1,000 hotel and allied members and 32 national hotel associations.President Trump last week announced he was pulling the US out of the Paris Accord, citing economic grounds. The US will now join Syria — which is in a civil war — and Nicaragua, which feels the Accord did not go far enough, as the only two countries which are not members of the Paris Agreement.