CHTA to work with Dominica Republic private sector
MIAMI, United States (CMC) —The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is deepening its partnership and outreach to hoteliers and tourism partners in the Dominican Republic.
As part of a new agreement, a centre of tourism information planned by the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants in the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES), will share with CHTA and its members research on tourism’s broad economic impact and linkages to various industries and areas of economic activity in the country.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the two bodies – signed during CHTA’s board meeting here last month – also allows ASONAHORES to access reports from CHTA’s data partners.
CHTA will arrange in-country workshops and presentations for ASONAHORES’ members to review data and reports and to provide them with greater insight and tools useful for destination, organization and property planning.
Both organisations agreed that such information sharing will strengthen ASONAHORES’ advocacy efforts with both the Dominican government and the business community.
In addition, CHTA will engage the group in discussions with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the institution reviews extending the Caribbean Hotels Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action (CHENACT) programme to member hotels.
CHENACT has compiled detailed investment-grade audits in more than 150 hotels. In addition, demonstration projects were conducted with tools and guides to support greater efficiencies. As a result, participating hotels are realising significant savings in electricity and water costs.
CHTA has discussed with the IDB the feasibility of conducting a third phase of CHENACT with the Dominican Republic being one of the beneficiary countries.
Recognising the potential for the region to further develop health and medical tourism, CHTA and ASONAHORES agreed to develop a strategy for the development of medical tourism in the region and to recognize the desire of the Dominican Republic to play a leadership role in this rapidly growing sector.
