Travelers across the Caribbean are increasingly seeking authentic experiences, including locally sourced foods and products. However, a recent survey by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), conducted with 18 National Hotel & Tourism Associations (NHTAs) in the region, shows that hotels face significant challenges in meeting this demand.

Key obstacles include unreliable supply, inconsistent quality, and limited variety, cited by more than half of the associations. High production costs also hinder local suppliers from competing on price.

The survey highlighted the need for stronger government support. 76% of associations reported that utility subsidies are nonexistent or ineffective, while 64% said that more effective tax incentives for local sourcing would encourage greater hotel purchases and strengthen domestic producers’ competitiveness.

Saint Lucian entrepreneur Vaughn Constable, founder of Twist Saint Lucia, stated: “Every Caribbean-made product carries our identity, flavors, and culture. Travelers want authenticity, but logistics, volume, and costs make it hard for small producers to compete locally and regionally, even with strong hotel and visitor demand.”

CHTA is focused on enhancing buyer-supplier connections, improving regional logistics, creating a more competitive pricing environment, and helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Nicola Madden-Greig, Linkages Task Force Chair and Immediate Past President of CHTA, emphasized: “If we break down these barriers and strengthen linkages, more visitor spend can stay in our economies, supporting livelihoods and building a sustainable future for the region.”

As part of these efforts, CHTA will host a Linkages Showcase at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) from November 16–18 in Barbados, highlighting regional producers and suppliers supporting the hospitality sector.