In the quest to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the vital tourism industry, Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) member countries must improve their tourism management practices, whether at the public or private sector levels, in all possible spheres of operation.
Best practices are simply the most effective & efficient methods or systems for solving problems or doing things, while minimizing risks and costs. However, best practices must be relevant, realistic and must be part of a continuous improvement strategy. As such, best practices are based on the best available information and in the context of the region’s tourism development goals, must involve management practices and operational processes that lead to world-class performance.
July 14, 2009: Top 20 best practices for DMO websites
European online marketing company Xotels have listed their top 20 best practices for destination marketing organization (DMO) websites and destination marketers.
Tourism Board, Convention Bureau and Tourist Office websites can be improved quite a lot, says European online marketing company Xotels. Most of them need a makeover to be able to compete with commercial travel and tourism websites. A local or regional DMO website should help to promote not only the destination as a whole, but also hotels, tourist attractions, restaurants, theatre, sports, activities in the destination itself. Ideally it would be possible to buy or reserve this through the DMO website. READ MORE>>
Download the CTO document on Good Practices in Caribbean tourism management, which spells out the objectives, components, methodolody, next steps, initial lists and project status.
This Caribbean Tourism Legislation Database is meant to serve as a ready and easy-to-use reference source on regional tourism legislation available at CTO Headquarters for consultation. This first edition of the database contains 187 pieces of tourism-related legislation from 20 member countries. It is not a complete coverage of all CTO member countries; nor is it a full compendium of tourism legislation in the Caribbean. But it is perhaps the largest collection of its kind and, to that extent, it is also a unique resource.
A niche tourism market is a specific market segment, usually with a well-defined product, that can be tailored to meet the interests of the customer. Examples for the Caribbean include golf, bird watching and diving. Note that “niche” does not necessarily mean “small” – niche markets can generate large numbers of tourists. This report presents detailed profiles of 20 niche tourism markets.