CHA Top Executive Called for More Investment on Human Capital

The President of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), Berthia Parle, has warned that the regional tourism industry could collapse if investments were geared primarily towards hotel rooms without the requisite investment in human capital.

Ms Parle told the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (CHIC) and PROFIT Partnership meeting held in Bridgetown, Barbados, this week, that while investment in the human resource capacity of the Caribbean is not normally considered, it is the glue that holds it all together.

The CHA president stressed that human capital base must also be developed in order to sustain the long-term growth of tourism. She noted that investment in the tourism industry had exceeded expected levels and attributed the strong performance to improved infrastructure and a stable political climate.

However, she noted that governments, hotels and other sub sectors must find ways to reduce high operating costs.