CTO cannot compel countries to cater to LGBT travellers .......

FLORIDA, United States – Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Hugh Riley says while the body has provided information on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) travellers to its member countries, it cannot compel them to cater to that group of vacationers.

“What we do is to bring the matter to discussion and we’ve not been shy about that at all. We brought all kinds of matter, including the LGBT matter, to the agenda of our annual conference. We have brought experts in on all sides of the issue, that’s our responsibility,” he argued.

He stressed however, that it is then up to each member country to decide how they want to deal with the issue.

“It’s a form of self-determination. It’s a form of member countries who are independent sovereign countries making their national policy, and that is how we have to accept it as a regional body. National policy from one country to another determines how vigorously that country wants to approach any particular niche,” Riley explained.

He was speaking to Caribbean journalists during the 18th Annual Shared Ownership Investment Conference at the Eden Roc Miami Beach Hotel in Florida, earlier this week.

Several Caribbean destinations, including St Maarten and Curacao, have openly accepted LGBT vacationers, while others privately welcome them.

also see:

J'cans Tap Gay Online Rental Market - Misterb&B Seen As Opportunity To Diversify Income 

Caribbean tourism must reflect changing demands ....... pink $$$ anyone? 

Jamaica Should Open Arms To Gay Tourism

Gay Tourism Potential? (Letter plus) 

LGBT tourism breaks through US$200 billion in annual spending 

Cuba's shot in the arm for LGBTQ personhood & pink tourism 

Jamaica has sat back and watched Cuba and indeed other Caribbean states despite lesser anti homosexual sentiments move into the arena of LGBTQ tourism. The few properties who offer only online accommodation to said markets do so on their own with very little support to the Tourism Product Development Company, TPDco; they are now slowly coming to their senses it is said as Airbnb is here and other knock off types forge ahead.

My present DJ residency for example is a product of that informal offshoot as the outfit Bubbles Bar is a paid membership structure catering to special markets from overseas mostly of gay and bisexual men over forty and who like dance, circuit and rave music. The outfit has its successes from Friday to Sunday nights with an aggressive marketing team and owner who is always seeking customers.

Think our way out of the loss nationally I suppose.

Peace & tolerance

H