Multi-Hazard Contingency Planning Manual for the Caribbean Tourism Sector 2007

The tourism industry is a vital economic force in the Caribbean, and its continued health is an important factor in generating jobs, revenue and infrastructure development throughout the region. To maintain its long-term viability, the tourism sector must be prepared to endure and recover from a wide range of hazards and emergencies. Two of the most significant threats to the industry are hurricanes and terrorist incidents, which can both cause significant physical and structural damage, lead to human injuries and loss of life, and impact the attractiveness of a destination to potential visitors. After the severe damage of the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) and the OAS Division of Trade Tourism and Competitiveness (DTTC), with funding from the US State Department, are leading the development of a plan to assist OAS Caribbean Member States in strengthening the tourism sector’s ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from, a critical event impacting the sector. One of the goals of the project was to produce this new version of the Hurricane Procedures Manual as part of a Model Multi-Hazard Contingency Planning Manual for the Tourism Sector.