Tourism and local production in the Caribbean: towards a more authentic and sustainable industry

Tourists visiting the Caribbean increasingly value authenticity and regional identity in food, products, and cultural experiences. However, a recent report by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), prepared in conjunction with 18 National Hotel and Tourism Associations (NHTAs), shows that hotels face significant obstacles in sourcing offerings originating from the region.

According to the NHTAs surveyed, supply remains one of the biggest challenges: more than half (56%) indicated that producers cannot consistently guarantee the quantities required by the tourism industry, while others highlighted issues of quality and limited variety.

Furthermore, the lack of effective government support hampers the expansion of these purchases:

76% of respondents stated that public service subsidies are nonexistent or ineffective.

64% emphasized that better tax incentives for hotel purchases would boost producers' competitiveness.

56% considered that incentives to increase regional production could be improved.

Vaughn Constable, a Saint Lucian entrepreneur and founder of Twist Saint Lucia, a participant in the CHTA Linkages initiative, exemplified the situation: “There is a lot of pride in creating Caribbean products. Each package reflects our identity, flavors, culture, and craft. Travelers seek that authenticity, but logistics, volumes, and costs make it difficult for small producers to compete, even with strong demand from hotels and tourists.”

During a recent CHTA Linkages webinar, representatives from the Government of Jamaica, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association, and the hotel industry shared successful experiences and highlighted structural challenges, including the need to improve data availability, optimize regional logistics, and strengthen financial support for small entrepreneurs.

According to Nicola Madden-Greig, CHTA's past president and current leader of the Linkages Task Force, the report confirms a familiar reality: "Travelers are seeking authentic experiences, but hotels can't always respond due to systemic barriers. By collaborating with governments and partners, we can create policies and systems that ensure tourism directly benefits Caribbean communities."

CHTA is intensifying its efforts to:

Connecting buyers and suppliers

Create a more competitive pricing environment

Strengthen distribution networks

Supporting entrepreneurs to scale their businesses

Promote regional cooperation in logistics and financing, making it easier for hotels to source products from the region first.

“The Caribbean boasts talent, agricultural and industrial capabilities, unique cultural traditions, and an unparalleled tourism product,” Madden-Greig added. “If we remove barriers and strengthen these connections, we will ensure that more tourism spending remains in our economies, creating jobs and a more sustainable future.”

As part of its action plan, CHTA will host a Linkages Showcase during the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), taking place November 16-18 in Barbados, highlighting regional producers and suppliers supporting the hospitality sector. In addition, the association will conduct a detailed evaluation of product lines available to the industry.

Fuente: Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)