The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) through its headquarters in Barbados is proposing to initiate a Total Visitor Satisfaction program that would incorporate a series of criteria
aimed at making a tourism destination ‘compliant’ or ‘certified’.
The idea is to focus on criteria such as user-friendliness, local accessibility, environmental responsibility and overall visitor appeal. Where appropriate standards currently exist, those will be
incorporated; and relevant ‘destination host’ models will be examined to cull elements that fit the objective of overall visitor satisfaction. However. initial research seems to indicate that there
is no destination or region that has developed criteria for a total destination rating, focused squarely upon satisfying – and indeed exceeding – the expectations of visitors.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization believes that the Caribbean, as the world’s most tourism-dependent region, has a responsibility to lead in the area of visitor satisfaction. Furthermore, the CTO is of the opinion that the time is right for destinations to focus more attention on satisfying current visitors, retaining them as repeats, and encouraging them to become influencers for the destination.
In short, the Caribbean ought to be developing a reputation for service that is so excellent and an environment so welcoming, that it engenders an emotional attachment and generates repeat visitors.
A Total Visitor Satisfaction Program for Caribbean destinations would considerably increase the region’s competitiveness.
Among other things it would:
1. Engage the public and private sectors in improving attitudes to tourism
2. Enhance and improve the tourism environment
3. Be an ongoing quest for excellence, rather than a one-shot or haphazard approach
5. Engender a greater sense of pride in and ownership of the tourism industry
6. Heighten visitors’ sensitivity to the efforts of each destination
7. Secure the attention of industry partners in the source markets
8. Demonstrate the Caribbean’s leadership in the industry and the region’s commitment to enhancing its competitive position for the benefit of every citizen
9. Guarantee media attention wherever we do business
10. Increase tourism arrivals and help ensure the sustainability of the industry.
Criteria
To create the criteria for Total Visitor Satisfaction requires that we put our thoughts together to focus on the issues that currently prevent us from being seen as helpful, efficient, clean,
environmentally conscious, truly hospitable destinations.
Download samples of the design work on TVS in this presentation titled Shades of Blue.