FORT LAUDERDALE, United States (CMC) — The newly elected president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Sanovnik Destang on Friday called for empowering young people to shape the future of tourism.

In a message marking World Tourism Day, under the theme of “Tourism and Peace”, the St Lucian hotelier stressed the importance of investing in youth through education, training opportunities, and active participation in the tourism and hospitality sector to harness their potential for driving social change and promoting peace.

“Young talent brings fresh perspectives, creativity and energy that are essential for the continuous evolution of tourism as a force for good,” he said.

Destang said that tourism is not just about leisure; it represents the building blocks of peace, such as social justice, human rights, economic equity, and sustainable development. Tourism can also support democracy by fostering nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution.

He highlighted impactful initiatives launched by CHTA such as the Young Leaders Forum (YLF) as well as the St Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s Citizens for Peace and Prosperity Initiative and the Six Bridges to Peace and Prosperity.

“Tourism has to be for the people of the Caribbean,” Destang said, noting that initiatives like the YLF not only cultivate future industry leaders but also nurture future ambassadors for tourism.

He said that tourism not only generates a wide range of employment opportunities but also fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. He spoke of the tourism sector being a catalyst for economic growth, particularly through the development of creative business models that cater to emerging consumer demands.

“The expansion of entrepreneurship in areas like food and beverage, with innovations such as food trucks, private chefs, bartenders, mixology classes, and take-home mixology kits, has been remarkable.”

Destang underscored the pivotal role of CHTA’s Taste of the Caribbean programme, pointing also to the surge of new small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs), many launched by former industry employees, with a notable representation of women and young adults among these emerging entrepreneurs.

Aligning with the objectives of World Tourism Day, Destang advocated for responsible and sustainable tourism that fosters global understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage and diversity.

He said that tourism is vital in promoting peace and understanding across nations and cultures, supporting reconciliation processes.