In an endeavor to bolster greater healthcare standards within the tourism industry, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) recently visited the Turks and Caicos Islands, conducting workshops and meetings with key industry players.
The delegation, led by Dr. Lisa Indar, Director of Surveillance Disease Prevention and Control Division, and Mr. Keston Daniel, Epidemiologist at CARPHA, engaged in a series of meetings with officials from the Ministry of Health and Human Services and the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Agriculture, and Religious Affairs.
The discussions, which took place on Monday, July 17, focused on the Regional Tourism and Health Program (THP) and the revitalization of the TCI THP.
The THP is one of CARPHA's pioneering initiatives aimed at addressing health, food safety, and environmental sanitation concerns that impact sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. The program incorporates real-time surveillance systems, early warning and response mechanisms, capacity building, HSE standards, policy advocacy, and partnerships, as well as a traveler's health award.
The ultimate goal is to enhance the health, safety, and security of both citizens and visitors, thus contributing to the resilience and sustainability of Caribbean tourism and the economies of the region's states. Turks and Caicos Islands became the first to adopt the THP program in 2016, recognizing its significance for elevating tourism as a healthier, safer, and more competitive product.
On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Opus, Providenciales, the CARPHA team provided training on Infectious Disease Prevention and Control for the Hospitality Sector. The following days, July 18 and July 20, saw two sessions on THP sensitization and Tourism Health Information System (THiS) training, registration, and reporting for the tourism sector.
During their visit, the team also inspected laboratories and explored strategies to enhance early warning and response systems to mitigate the spread of illnesses. Additionally, discussions were held to strengthen food and water testing in the TCI.
Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing that health and food safety are crucial to safeguarding both visitors and residents. She said the comprehensive reporting system provided by CARPHA plays a vital role in mitigating the potential impacts of public health events on the country.
She said the relaunch of the Tourism & Health Information System Training Program is seen as an invaluable opportunity to improve health and safety practices, thus enhancing confidence among travelers.
The TCHTA, along with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health, expressed their gratitude and pledged support for the partnership.
Hon. Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health, highlighted the potential threats to the growth and sustainability of the tourism product due to Health, Safety, and Environmental Sanitation (HSE) concerns.
He said proper information management systems, standards, and training are essential to address these threats and respond effectively to travel-related illnesses. He pointed out that the relaunched Tourism and Health Programme is seen as a step forward in addressing these concerns.
Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, expressed her satisfaction in hosting the CARPHA team and stressed the need for a strengthened approach to disease prevention across all sectors of the tourism industry. She emphasized the importance of implementing safeguards to ensure the quality of tourism products.
The visit concluded with a Press Conference on Friday, July 21, 2023, where an overview of the program was presented, and both ministries, along with TCHTA, pledged their continued support for the initiative.
The CARPHA team also held a Steering Committee meeting and debriefing to further solidify the partnership. It is anticipated that this collaboration will strengthen the destination's health surveillance and contribute to the overall success of the program.
Comments