The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) celebrates International Women’s Day | News
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) celebrates Caribbean women driving the region’s tourism industry and calls on its members and industry partners to move from recognition to action.
This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme, ‘Give To Gain’, speaks directly to the heart of what drives Caribbean tourism forward: when the industry supports and uplifts the women who lead real estate, manage teams, run tourism-related businesses, serve on boards and welcome guests every day to the Caribbean’s many hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses, the entire region wins. Their leadership strengthens competitiveness, drives innovation and builds the economic resilience on which the hospitality and tourism sectors depend.
From Recognition to Action: CHTA’s Call to Industry
CHTA encourages members and stakeholders in the Caribbean hospitality industry to take meaningful action in three areas:
Mentorship and leadership development
Leadership pipelines must be built with purpose. CHTA calls on members to nominate emerging women professionals to participate in the CHTA Young Leaders Forum and invites senior leaders to actively mentor and sponsor women within their organizations and through their national hotel and tourism associations and CHTA initiatives. Structured mentorship within hospitality companies is one of the most direct investments the industry can make in its own future.
Resources and informed leadership
Progressive leadership requires informed practices in the workplace. CHTA encourages members to review available resources that address gender bias and inclusive practices in the workplace, including relevant materials from organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to evaluate leadership pathways, strengthen inclusive practices, and promote environments that retain and develop talent. Inclusive workplaces are not only the right thing to build, they also drive better business performance.
Visibility and representation
The stories of women shaping Caribbean hospitality and tourism need to be told. CHTA encourages members to highlight women leaders and professionals within their organizations, nominate representatives to participate through the Women in Tourism Caribbean platform, and ensure women are visible as industry spokespersons. Visibility inspires the next generation and reflects the true talent of Caribbean hospitality.
In the Caribbean, women contribute at every level of tourism: as general managers and executives, as entrepreneurs and tourism service providers, as tourism agency leaders and destination marketers, and as frontline professionals shaping the guest experience. CHTA is proud that this leadership extends throughout the association itself, with three of the past five CHTA presidents being women and female leaders at the helm of numerous national hotel and tourism associations in the region.
“The women of Caribbean hospitality are not just contributing to this industry; they are shaping its future,” said CHTA President Sanovnik Destang, executive director of the women-owned Bay Gardens Resorts in Saint Lucia. “International Women’s Day is an important time of recognition, but recognition alone is not enough. We ask our members and partners to take tangible steps: mentor, create pathways and ensure the next generation of women leaders have every opportunity to rise.”
CHTA CEO Vanessa Ledesma echoed the call: “Caribbean tourism has always been built by the hands and vision of extraordinary women. What we must do now is be intentional about building leadership pipelines, creating inclusive workplaces and ensuring that women’s contributions are visible and celebrated to strengthen this industry for the long term.”
“International Women’s Day is not just a moment of recognition; it is a moment for leadership,” said Ledesma. “CHTA will continue to serve as a leader of leadership and a catalyst for opportunity, and we invite every member and partner in the region to join us in turning commitment into action.”
Throughout the month of March, CHTA will highlight each of these action areas through its channels, inviting continued engagement from members and the wider industry.
