Tourism Minister Asot Michael secures CTO debt reduction at Caribbean Tourism Organisation Ministerial Meeting in San Juan

Ahead of the opening of the annual CHTA Caribbean Marketplace convention in San Juan Puerto Rico, The Honourable Asot Michael, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy caucused with his fellow Caribbean Tourism Ministers on the way forward for the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). The regional body is tasked with supporting the growth, development and marketing of regional tourism under the “One Caribbean” brand concept.

Minister Michael noted the importance of supporting our own regional organisation in the face of increased competition from other regional Tourism bodies, such as The “Vanilla Islands”which is a grouping of Indian Ocean tourism dependent countries. This includes Madagascar, The Maldives, The Seychelles, La Reunion, Mauritius, Comoros, and Mayotte. The USA has a similar type marketing drive promoting inbound tourism with “The American Dream” concept.

Under the former UPP administration Antigua and Barbuda had been delinquent with its financial obligations to the regional body from 2010- until present. CTO was owed outstanding membership areas totaling USD$540,701, with a further USD $55,000 being owed for marketing support. An amendment, which had been made to the CTO constitution last September, effectively meant that Antigua and Barbuda’s CTO membership had expired due to non- payment of its financial obligations.

This indebtedness to a regional organisation is glaring when this is juxtaposed against payment in full by the former UPP administration to a UK based company for over £849,000 for a web site that has failed to deliver on its critical components.

Within hours of the meeting Antigua and Barbuda was able to make good on its commitment with confirmation that an initial payment amount of USD$55,207.50 representing membership dues to the CTO for 2010 and 2011, had been made. The amount represents 25% of the original sum of USD$ 165,622.50 for the two years in question.Minister Michael was able to successfully negotiate and get the CTO Ministers to agree a write-off of 75% for the two years combined.The Minister also agreed with the CTO to work out a payment plan with a further substantial discount to clear the remaining areas.
In concluding his presentation, Minister Michael took the opportunity to thank the CTO for their support of the destination over the years and pledged a renewed and tangible commitment from Antigua and Barbuda to support the activities of this regional organization, which is a critical part of the regional integration process.