On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) highlighted the vital role women play in the Caribbean’s tourism industry and urged its members and partners to take concrete actions to strengthen women’s leadership across the region.

In a statement released on March 6, the organization emphasized this year’s campaign theme, “Give To Gain,” which underscores how supporting and promoting women’s leadership within the tourism sector benefits the entire regional economy.

According to CHTA, women play a key role in Caribbean hospitality, leading hotels, managing teams, running tourism businesses, serving on boards, and contributing to visitor experiences across destinations throughout the region.

From Celebration to Action

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is urging the tourism industry to move forward in three strategic areas to strengthen women’s leadership.

Mentorship and Leadership Development

CHTA encourages companies and organizations in the tourism sector to promote mentorship programs for emerging professionals and to nominate women to participate in the CHTA Young Leaders Forum, an initiative aimed at developing the next generation of Caribbean tourism leaders.

Resources and Inclusive Leadership

The association also promotes the adoption of inclusive workplace practices and recommends reviewing gender equality resources developed by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to help strengthen workplace environments and expand leadership opportunities.

Visibility and Representation

Another key focus is increasing the visibility of women in the tourism sector. CHTA invites its members to highlight professionals within their organizations and promote their participation in the Women in Tourism Caribbean platform, which seeks to raise the profile of women leaders in the sector.

Women Shaping the Future of Caribbean Tourism

Women participate at every level of the Caribbean tourism industry: as hotel general managers, entrepreneurs, leaders of tourism organizations, and frontline professionals who shape visitor experiences.

Within the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association itself, three of the last five presidents have been women, and many national hotel and tourism associations across the region are also led by women.

CHTA President Sanovnik Destang emphasized that recognition must translate into concrete action.

“Women in Caribbean hospitality are not only contributing to this industry; they are shaping its future,” he said.

Meanwhile, the organization’s CEO Vanessa Ledesma highlighted the importance of creating sustainable leadership opportunities for women in tourism.

Throughout the month of March, CHTA will continue promoting these initiatives across its communication channels to encourage participation from the tourism sector across the region.