World News

CHTA's involvement in CGI's deliberations followed closely on the heels of its announcement with nonprofit organisation, Tourism Cares, that their joint initiative - the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund - has raised more than US$275,000 in charitable donations to build long-term recovery and enhance the ability of hurricane-impacted destinations to rebound as quickly as possible. Donors' generosity has facilitated assistance to Caribbean nationals for training and education, restoring destination capacity, the physical restoration of tourism-related infrastructure, social enterprise development, job creation, hotel training, voluntourism, marketing and public relations support, and the environment.

Meanwhile, CHTA has produced a Disaster Preparedness Manual, which is in the process of being released to industry stakeholders. The purpose of the guide, financed by both the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund and Expedia, is to supplement local efforts to develop communications preparedness and the response and recovery process for CHTA members, national tourism organizations, and public and private sector industry stakeholders before, during and after a potential disaster.

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, expressed his gratitude for a token presented to him by His Excellency Asif Anwar Ahmad, British High Commissioner to Jamaica and the Bahamas, during a recent courtesy call to the Minister’s New Kingston office.

During the meeting, the ambassador confirmed that he will make a presentation at the upcoming Tourism Resilience Summit, being hosted by Jamaica on September 13 at the University of West Indies.

The event is taking place under the theme “Tourism Resilience through Global Synergies,” and will address events that disrupt tourism, such as climate change, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, and cybercrime.

The summit will gather key global stakeholders and thought leaders at the University of the West Indies, Mona in Jamaica.

“This summit forms part of my ministry’s efforts to build resilience within the region and globally. Resilience building has become even more crucial in a world that is hyper connected and as such more susceptible to climate change, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime,” Bartlett said.

The summit will “seek to assess existing and emerging disruptions related to tourism management globally; examine the risk of these disruptions to the global tourism product; and identify a synergetic strategic and operational framework for mutual partnerships between and among major governmental, non-governmental and business entities to address as well as develop mitigation strategies for these global disruptions,” according to a statement from Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism.

The online registration to participate in Tenerife's Santa Cruz Maratón is now open. Taking place on 11 November, the fifth edition of the race follows four successful events, which saw increasing number of participants year on year. This year's race will see thousands of athletes heading to the streets of Santa Cruz, Tenerife's capital city, on Sunday 11 November for a fun sporting event, which is suitable for runners of all abilities. The Santa Cruz Maratón has once again seen record entry numbers, with 2,500 runners having already registered after just three days of registration opening!

The Santa Cruz Maratón boasts an enviable coastal and flat course with almost no incline, making it an ideal event for both amateur athletes who are looking to make a start in the running world and established runners looking for a challenge. The event features three different running categories: 42km race, 21km race and 8km race.

The flat course is considered one of the best in Spain, with every category guaranteeing athletes a spot of “sightseeing” during their race. The futuristic Tenerife Auditorium Adán Martin, the Market Nuestra Señora de África, the Tenerife Arts Space (TEA) and the García Sanabria Park will be some of the main tourist attractions of Santa Cruz that participants will pass on the course.

A University of Wolverhampton academic has taken his cyber security expertise to South America recently.

Professor of Cyber Security and Director of the University of Wolverhampton Cyber Research Institute (WCRI), Prashant Pillai attended a Cyber Security Summit in Sao Paolo, Brazil and was one of a number of key speakers from around the world.

Nearly 200 people attended the global two-day conference which brought together industry professionals, thought-leaders, IT managers, government officials and analysts to focus on cybercrime, machine learning, identity fraud, the insider threat and security metrics.

Other noted speakers included David Brassanini, FBI Chief of Operations and Rafael Salema, Leader of the Cybernetic Exportation Team in the Brazilian Air Force.

Professor Pillai talked about the challenges and opportunities facing security for the critical national infrastructure, looking at threats faced by power, water and transport networks. He works with over 20 academics at the University who are researching Cyber Security, Data Science and Cyber Physical systems.

With almost 16 years’ research experience specialising in the areas of communication networks, cyber security and intelligent algorithms, Professor Pillai has led several projects funded by the European Union, Innovate UK, European Space Agency and the British Council.

He said: “The Summit was very well attended with delegates from the private and public sector, academia and armed forces giving an excellent platform to discuss the ever rising threats in the critical infrastructure area.

“This is a global problem faced by developed and developing countries. The WCRI specialises in security for critical national infrastructure with a current focus on detection, prevention and innovative solutions for large scale co-ordinated attacks on complex systems.”

Sri Lanka needs further help to strengthen its human rights promotion and protection. That's according to the country’s Human Rights Commission, which has called on the Commonwealth Secretariat for technical assistance.

Its Chair, Dr Deepika Udagama made the Commission’s request during a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who is on her first official visit to the country.

Dr Udagama described the Secretariat as ‘an ally on human rights in Sri Lanka’ providing help with, among other things, models of reconciliation post-conflict, how to deal with torture, as well as advising it on civil and political rights.

During her three-year term as chair, which comes to an end later this year, Dr Udagama said that the Secretariat had assisted her commission immensely.

For example, it brought in experts to help the constitutional assembly on the protection of economic, social and cultural rights in the new proposed Bill of Rights. The Secretariat ensured that Sri Lanka participated substantively in the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, allowing the country to connect with other member state commissions. It also helped to get the Commission accredited.

But the Commission needed further help, she said.

“One thing is that the Commonwealth has developed very many good practices and standards on democracy and human rights. The Secretariat brings together countries from the Commonwealth, common legal traditions, common traditions of governance and democracy, so it's very important for the Secretariat to be engaged. It's mainly in the area of technical cooperation.

"Another [area] is about raising human rights awareness within the community, providing us with techniques that could be effective using technology for such purposes. There’s a lot that could be done.”

Secretary-General Scotland congratulated the Commission for being accredited ‘A’ status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. This means that Sri Lanka has complied fully with the United Nations Paris Principles, which provide the international benchmark by which national human rights institutions are accredited.

“This is excellent news for Sri Lanka’s government, its people and your Commission,” said the Secretary-General. “We focussed our efforts in supporting the Commission in regaining its ‘A’ status, but we should also credit President Maithripala Sirisena, who began the constitutional reform process in 2015. By strengthening the process of appointing members to independent commissions, including this one, the President enhanced transparency and accountability.”

The Secretary-General said that the Secretariat would continue to work in partnership with Sri Lanka when it came to human rights, as set out in the Commonwealth Charter.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland is about to set out on her first official visits to three Commonwealth member countries in South and South East Asia, during an 11-day trip.

In all three countries the Secretary-General will have discussions with head of government, ministers and other public figures on priorities and commitments agreed by leaders at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in April, and will update them on the strategic implementation of the work to be undertaken.

In Sri Lanka, Secretary-General Scotland will discuss ways in which the country can work even more closely within a Commonwealth context on issues related to trade, connectivity and other national priorities.

During her time in Brunei, among other engagements, the Secretary-General will deliver a public lecture at the University of Brunei Darussalam. She will also acknowledge the very significant contribution Brunei makes towards partnership by offering the Commonwealth Third-Country Training Programme which assists in building the capacity of Pacific island member states of the Commonwealth.

Secretary-General Scotland will then visit Bangladesh. Included in her programme is an address to the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies on the theme ‘The Commonwealth Advantage – progress and potential’.

“Sri Lanka, Brunei and Bangladesh are greatly valued members of the Commonwealth family,” said the Secretary-General ahead of her travel, “I look forward to acquainting myself more closely with the many encouraging and positive developments taking place in the region – and with challenges which the convening power of the Commonwealth can help to tackle.

“Next year, Sri Lanka will host the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting. This will again be an opportunity to share best legal practice from throughout the commonality and yet rich diversity of our Commonwealth family in order to improve access to justice for all our citizens.”

Today Zimbabwe holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Monday in which the top two contenders, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, have promised to revive an economy under Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule.

Zimbabwe’s former leader 94-year-old Robert Mugabe has refused to back his successor just a day before the country’s historic vote today. Mr. Mugabe addressed the nation for the first time since stepping down in November and declared that “I will not vote for those who have illegally taken power.”

The Commonwealth Observer Group described Pakistan’s General Election as an ‘important milestone’ in the history of the nation, following two consecutive democratically-elected civilian governments completing their full terms.

Final results are yet to be released by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

In an Interim Statement released on the Group’s observations of the election, the Chairman Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, former Head of State of Nigeria commended the people of Pakistan for exercising their right to vote.

More than 50 million Pakistanis came out to exercise their franchise, despite terrorist attacks claiming more than 200 lives in the weeks prior and on the election day itself.

The Chair said, “The 2018 General Election was an important milestone in strengthening democracy in Pakistan… We commend the voters, the Election Commission, polling staff, political parties, candidates, their agents, the security forces and all others for their respective roles.”

The Commonwealth Observer Group arrived in Pakistan on 18 July. Members held a wide range of consultations with the Electoral Commission, political parties, government officials, citizen observers, members of civil society, the media and the diplomatic community, as well as the military, before they were deployed to polling stations across the country. These included locations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Karachi and Hyderabad.

Announcing its interim findings, the Group noted a clear improvement in election laws since the previous elections. For example, the new Elections Act 2017 gave more independence and autonomy for the election commission and new measures to enhance women’s political participation.

“We noted that women responded to these reforms positively and voted in greater numbers compared to earlier elections. Women also played a commendable role in the administration of elections,” Gen. Abubakar said on election day. “We observed that the Election Commission was generally well-prepared for the polls in most areas and that the process was, on the whole, well-administered.”

However, there were key areas for improvement. Counting methods, the results transmission system, and inconsistency in applying electoral procedures, were amongst several areas highlighted.

The final report, including recommendations, will be submitted in a final report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who will forward it to the Government of Pakistan, Election Commission of Pakistan, political parties taking part in the elections and all Commonwealth Governments. The report will then be made public.

The Commonwealth Observer Group was constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole. It determines, in its own judgement, whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Pakistan has committed itself, with reference to national election-related legislation and relevant regional, Commonwealth, and other international commitments.

The Commonwealth’s team of observers has begun its assessment of the electoral process in Zimbabwe, leading up to general elections on 30 July.

Chaired by the former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, the group is composed of 23 eminent people from across the Commonwealth. They include specialists in law and human rights, as well as gender, youth and media engagement.

“As independent observers, our mandate is to consider factors that affect the credibility of the electoral process and report on whether the vote has been conducted according to the national, regional, and international standards to which Zimbabwe has committed itself,” said Chairperson Mahama in his arrival statement. “We will perform our role with impartiality, independence and transparency.”

Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003. In May, the current President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, wrote to the Secretary-General asking her to initiate the re-admission process. In the same letter, he requested the Commonwealth to observe the July elections. The final report of the observer group will contribute to the Secretary-General’s informal assessment of whether Zimbabwe should re-join the Commonwealth.

For Chairperson Mahama, Zimbabwe’s commitment to democratic principles is especially important. “It was here in Harare, in 1991, that Commonwealth Heads of Government issued a seminal declaration committing their countries to a set of principles, including democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government; and fundamental human rights,” he stated.

There are 130 registered political parties - of which 57 will be contesting the elections. For the first time, four women are among the twenty-three Presidential candidates.

The two most prominent parties vying for seats are the current ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement for Democratic Change - Alliance (MDC Alliance).

Commonwealth observer missions assess whether electoral processes are credible and transparent. They promote good governance, reinforce democracy, protect human rights and the freedom of citizens to choose their leaders.

Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), today congratulated the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) on the  election of Karolin Troubetzkoy as its new president.

Karolin Troubetzkoy,  immediate past president of CHTA and Executive Director of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts, assumed the Presidency of her national trade association on Friday after serving for almost three years as head of the Caribbean organization. She succeeds hotelier Sanovnik Destang of Bay Gardens Resorts, who did not stand for re-election, and is joined by newly elected First Vice President John Mathurin, owner of Serenity Vacations & Tours, and re-elected Second Vice President Erwin Louisy of Barefoot Holidays St. Lucia.

"Karolin has a wonderful ability to harness the skills and enthusiasm of all stakeholders to enhance the capacity of the tourism industry to benefit all sectors of society and we are sure she will shine in this familiar role," said Comito, who described Troubetzoy's impact at the regional level as exemplary.

Addressing SLHTA's AGM following her election, Troubetzkoy pledged to take a serious look at succession planning and ensure that qualified and experienced tourism leaders get exposed to SLHTA operations and be ready and prepared to take on this mantle of responsibility sooner rather than later.

She called for a comprehensive consultation on changes to the bylaws, board structure and the presidential election process and eligibility for hoteliers and allied members.

Troubetzkoy devoted much of her time in office at CHTA coping with heavy challenges from Sargassum, Zika, Brexit and the devastating hurricanes of last September. She noted however that the need to cope with and recover from adversity had given the region another skill: "Resilience has become our new mantra and guiding light as we strive to make our small island developing states more resilient to these shocks."

She added there remained many more challenges, including "mitigating the effects of climate change, preparing for the danger of stronger and more devastating hurricanes, dealing with environmental issues from mosquito-borne illnesses, coral bleaching to plastic pollution, water and waste water management and introducing more renewable energy sources."

Last but not least, she said, "was our very serious concerns for our own and our visitors' safety and security. All of these challenges need both our individual and our collective attention."

Expressing her condolences to the family of Nereus "Corsol" Francis, the SLHTA member who was murdered just a few days earlier, she said it was time to take "a hard look at how we educate our children, how much quality time we are able to spend with them or to give them, and the negative consequences of our failure to honor these commitments which could very well result in their being deprived of a brighter future."

She linked these societal priorities to tourism, which cannot operate in a bubble. "What affects us as communities, countries and as people, also affects our tourism industry," she argued.

Whether looking at challenges thrust up by the new and successful sharing economy for traditional accommodation providers, existing or potentially new taxes, high airfares, limited regional and international airlift and connectivity, the new president believes these issues "influence the current and future business volume, and ultimately our successes."

She called on St. Lucia's public and private sectors to work more collaboratively "to share with the world the diverse richness of our region - our cultures, art, music, food, history, natural environment and the many types of accommodations experiences."

In addition to creating enabling environments for local entrepreneurs to flourish, training was particularly important for St. Lucia, she contended, because of the possible doubling of available rooms in a few years. "For this expansion of our industry, we must be prepared to make the necessary investment in training and training facilities to develop the skilled work force required to fill the jobs that will surely come."

Recognizing the need to take a look at the vertical integration developing in the country's tourism industry, Troubetzkoy asserted conflicts of interest between industry stakeholders will require intense discussion: "It will fall to the SLHTA, and me as your President, to ensure that there will be transparency, open dialogue and communication at all times, as it is essential for all members and all sectors to have a voice at the table and be represented fairly and objectively."

So, regular meetings with both public and private stakeholders are essential and, she reported, "we have already begun, and I look forward to continuing our work to engage with our future young leaders."

The new SLHTA president thanked her predecessor, Sanovnik Destang, for the great work he had done. "I want to assure him and our members that the projects he is engaged in and continues to be particularly passionate about, such as our Virtual Agricultural Clearing House, linkages in general and young leaders' development - all of these will continue to play an important part in the Association's work."

She also committed to working with him to see the St. Lucia Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) go from strength to strength. "Four years, seven million dollars and 120 projects later, we certainly believe that we are on the right track and truly appreciate our industry's support for the TEF."

Luxury Maldivian maverick Amilla Fushi and retro-chic sister resort Finolhu claimed a trio of prestigious accolades at the annual World Luxury Restaurant Awards, held at the Galgorm Resort & Spa in Northern Ireland on 14 July 2018.

Amilla Fushi's signature over-water restaurant Feeling Koi was presented with the regional awards for Best Luxury Waterside Restaurant and Best Japanese Cuisine in the Indian Ocean, while Finolhu's award-winning restaurant Kanusan was crowned the Maldives' Best Asian Fusion Restaurant.

Feeling Koi, the breathtaking overwater signature restaurant at Amilla Fushi, offers authentic modern Japanese dining presented in a playful, Latin-influenced style. Bringing informal, laid-back Izakaya-style dining to the Indian Ocean archipelago, Feeling Koi infuses the Japanese gastro-pub concept with warm service and a generous pinch of signature Amilla pizzazz. The restaurant features a Japanese-inspired minimalist design, a private open-air dining room and open deck seating by the water's edge, an open kitchen and a climate controlled Sake library including Feeling Koi's own private label collection. Feeling Koi has recently expanded with the opening of a second outpost at iconic Maldivian hideaway Huvafen Fushi.

Finolhu's premium dining venue Kanusan spans two areas: a relaxed indoor dining space, and an open lower deck which encapsulates the archetypal Maldivian experience of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the sea. Centred around a stunning duck oven, Kanusan's open kitchen puts its cuisine centre stage, embracing the theatricality of its Asian spirit. Classic flavours such as Mandarin roasted duck and Larb Gai are given a refreshing Kanusan twist, while newly created unique signature dishes include steamed snapper and lobster, black-truffle roast duck and sliced blue abalone in Kanusan sauce.

With 84 award categories at national, regional and global levels, the World Luxury Restaurant Awards recognises restaurants all over the world for their culinary excellence and memorable experiences, from outstanding atmosphere to exceptional service. The awards aim to inspire excellence and ignite healthy competition in the luxury restaurant industry.