The main objective of the Research component is to expand the range and improve the quality of critical information available to Caribbean tourism decision-makers and planners, both private and public sector, as well as to improve the skills of the region’s tourism professionals through the delivery of specialized training programmes.
This task is currently pursued by working with the CTO and other regional tourism entities on specific research studies, which upon completion would present recommendations and advice to the region’s tourism industry decision-makers. The research project’s overall goal is to increase the competitiveness and enhance the sustainability of the tourism sector in CARIFORUM countries through more informed decision and policy- making.
Areas of research
Measuring and monitoring the competitiveness of the Caribbean tourism sector; benchmarking; employee empowerment, motivation, rewards and benefits; measures to protect the environment; allocation of costs of conservation and the user pay principle; strengthening the role of SMMEs and increasing inter-sectional linkages; evaluating the impacts of open market policies on the Caribbean tourism sector; assessing, on a sample basis, environmental impact of tourist development; survey on current environmental/health regulation; ‘best practices’ for sustainable tourism and local involvement; identify and develop new ‘nature-based tourist products; socio-cultural and environment impacts; impacts on gender and youth and other areas agreed by stakeholders.
Outputs
Strengthening of IT capability: An IT specialist was installed at CTO and short-term experts at CHA. Existing IT capability of CHA and CTO was evaluated and benchmarked; a 5 year IT development plan for CTO and CHA developed and synchronised. The feasibility of a Caribbean hotel reservation system was established. The IT specialist delivered training to public and private sector in sub-regional workshops on topics such as website development, management and maintenance, internet marketing and e-commerce, database management and direct marketing.
Caribbean Air Transport Study 2006
Other Reports & Studies
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