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DHTA launches 4 E’s Programme in response to Tropical Storm Erika

Press Release
August 01, 2016 10:53 A.M

Roseau, Dominica (TDN) Immediately after the Tropical Storm Erika, the Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association (DHTA) partnered with our regional umbrella organization the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association to run the ‘Caribbean Hotels Unite for Dominica’ campaign, which raised USD $51,785 through the online auctioning vacation packages donated by hotels across the Caribbean region.

With these funds, the DHTA created the 4 E’s Programme, which represents the hotel and tourism sector’s commitment to local community in four key foundational areas: Education, Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Environment.

“Each of the four pillars consider continuity in its construction and design, and will be implemented with the help of local partners,” remarks DHTA Executive Vice President, Stephanie Astaphan. “The 4E’s Programme speaks to the importance of supporting local communities as we continue to rebuild.”

With regards to Education, and in partnership of the Ministry of Education & Human Resource Development, the DHTA has committed in excess of XCD $85,000, plus in-kind donation of desks and chairs valued as XCD $10,000, to the rehabilitation of the Coulibistie Primary School.

“Work is complete, by local contractor Richard Langlais / Jimmy’s Construction of Coulibistrie, on the essential infrastructure to get 45 students back to school in Coulibistrie come the start of the new school year in September,” said Astaphan, “It is truly a heartwarming experience to be a part of getting these children back into their own classrooms, in their own community.”

With the help of the Ministry of Education, DHTA is also in the process of creating a new lecture series to educate and excite our youth about Dominican tourism and sustainability concepts starting in Coulibistrie.

Under the Entrepreneurship pillar, we are working to identify a partner in the financial services sector to create a small, revolving microfinance fund of XCD$30,000 designed to support tourism-adjacent industries. These small loans will help micro-enterprises to not only recover, but to expand their operations and supply of goods and services to tourism businesses.

With regards to Employment, a jobs platform has been identified to allow employers within the tourism industry to post vacancies and job-seeks to submit applications online, which will make it easier for young people looking to secure employment in tourism.

And on Environment, a public awareness campaign to drive home the values of individual responsibility in maintaining our natural environment. The campaign will stress avoidance of improper environmental practices, which impact not only the potential of our tourism economy, but of our own quality of life.

“With the roll out of the 4 E’s Programme, we hope to positively contribute to the recovery and development of our local communities, and to strengthen our interconnectedness after the Storm,” said Astaphan.

For more information on the DHTA/CHTA 4 E’s Programme please contact the DHTA Office on 17 Castle Street, Roseau, Dominica by telephone on +1 767 440 3430/616 1055 or email [email protected].

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is a regional partnership of (32) national hotel associations established to facilitate the full potential of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry by serving member needs and building public-private partnerships in a socially responsible and sustainable manner.

The Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association is a non-profit organization providing centralized and innovative information, advocacy, and leadership for the tourism industry in Dominica.