SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Access to information, flexible
cancellation policies and "hospitality in a time of hostility" are
the lynchpins of contingency plans set in place by the Caribbean
Tourism Organization and the Caribbean Hotel Association.
Hugh Riley, CTO's director of marketing, Americas, said the
group's Web site at www.onecaribbean.org has a Caribbean Response Center
link that lists cancellation policies, travelers' safety measures
and regional initiatives. A similar link is on CHA's site at www.caribbeanhotels.org.
Simon Suarez, CHA president, said he expects destinations to
follow the lead of the Dominican Republic, where the government
already declared a "federal emergency" for its tourism industry.
And, that qualifies hotels to benefit from lower rates for fuel and
other operational supplies.