The Caribbean Tourism Organization formed in 1989, merging the Caribbean Tourism Association and the Caribbean Tourism Research and Development Center. It has 34 countries as members. Its purpose is to promote the Caribbean as a travel and tourism destination. They act as a liaison between Caribbean nations, coordinate tourism initiatives, conduct research and act as consultants on tourism issues. The organization manages partnerships that encourage sustainable tourism. Their headquarters are in Barbados, but they also have offices in the United States, Great Britain and Canada.
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association represents the Caribbean hospitality industry's private sector. It also represents 36 national hotel associations in the region. It was founded in 1962. They emphasize marketing, product development, tourism, sustainability and social responsibility. Their roots go back to 1959 when they started as a public sector organization before becoming independent three years later.
A subsidiary of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, the Caribbean Agro Tourism initiative promotes sustainable tourism by strengthening the links between tourism and agriculture. It offers training, research, marketing, small business development and diagnostic tools. It searches for ways that tourism and agriculture can benefit each other rather than having what was previously a destructive relationship.
Formed by the Caribbean Hotel Association, the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism works to manage resources and address environmental concerns so that tourism can be developed in a sustainable fashion. The alliance's goal is to create a more competitive tourism model. It also works at making sure the natural resources of the Caribbean will not be destroyed and that member tourism organizations find ways to conserve energy, use water responsibly and limit waste.
