WTTC members urged to help Caribbean and Florida
The World Travel & Tourism Council has offered to send a high level delegation and advisors to the Caribbean and southern US to assist the recovery from Hurricane Irma.
In a joint statement, chairman Gerald Lawless and president and CEO Gloria Guevara extended the full support of the WTTC to all affected destinations.
They called on members to come forward and ‘understand the ways in which assistance can be provided’ to ensure a rapid recovery for their essential tourism industries.
Ms Guevara said: "Tourism is a significant driver of the Caribbean countries’ economies and local livelihoods, and the Caribbean has been a popular and high profile destination for many years.
"WTTC therefore commits to play a part in the region’s recovery, standing by to assist with the restoration of tourism markets and infrastructure as the Hurricane passes, impacts are measured, and the rebuilding can commence."
Lawless said travel and tourism generate 15% of the Caribbean’s gross domestic product and 13% of its employment.
"I strongly believe that both the travellers and the destinations will show their resilience and that once damage is assessed and the businesses re-open, travellers will return," he said. "WTTC offers to help in all stages of recovery."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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