THE BARBADOS HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION (BHTA) has found a way to get more of its members to contribute ot the Tourism Fund, which has received more than $7 million since being launched in 2003.
After repeatedly pleading with hotels to pump more money into the fund, the BHTA said that on March 11 its membership “voted that all accommodation members should contribute to Tourism fund through the process of a levy on guests’ per night rate”.
It noted that since then “we have started the process of welcoming additional contributors to the fund”. The update was given in the BHTA’s recently released 2014 annual report.
The Tourism Fund was launched in 2003 with 11 BHTA accommodation members signing on to contribute.
There are now 32 contributors “who have signed on and are contributing to the fund and to date have collectively contributed over $7 million, most of which has been spent on improving our tourism product and marketing our destination,” the report said.
“With this fund, the association was able to come to the negotiation table as a true private sector partner, working together for the benefit of the players in the tourism industry and that of the entire nation of Barbados, which depend on the tourism industry for the growth and development of the economy.”
While 32 members are now contributing, the BHTA cited the 19 properties “that have consistently contributed to the fund . . . faithfully each year”.
Those named included Accra Beach Hotel Ltd, All Seasons Resort Europa, Beach View Hotel, Cobblers Cove Hotel, Colony Club Hotel, Coral Reef Club, The Crane, Crystal Cove, Divi Southwinds, Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Hilton Barbados, and Rockley Plum Tree.
This was in addition to Rostrevor Apartment Hotel, Sandy Lane Hotel, South Gap Hotel, The Sandpiper, Tamarind Cove Hotel, Turtle Beach Resort Ltd, and Yellow Bird Hotel. (SC)
