ZIKA BRIEF FOR CARIBBEAN TRAVEL PARTNERS

The spread of the Zika virus in the Americas, other tropical regions and now also in Florida has understandably caused concern. While the ZIKA virus itself is described as a mild virus with only 1 in 5 persons showing any symptoms, a link of the virus to microcephaly in babies has been confirmed even though the precise nature of this link is yet to be fully researched and understood.

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) are aware that our travel partners and consumers have a number of questions about travel to the region and the Zika virus. We have therefore compiled this brief and links to related resources to provide our partners with pertinent information in relation to Zika and travel to the Caribbean. We hope you will find these

details helpful.

CARIBBEAN TOURISM

The Caribbean set a record for visitor arrivals in 2015 with over 28 Million visitors and all indications point to continued growth in its popularity through 2016 as one of the world’s most desirable warm weather destinations. However, the news coverage of Zika has given some guests, especially pregnant women or those wishing to conceive, a reason to pause, while the overwhelming majority of travelers have chosen

to carry on with their plans and enjoy a Caribbean vacation.

MEASURES BEING TAKEN BY THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM INDUSTRY AND HEALTH AUTHORITIES

Since January 2016, Caribbean countries and their hotels have aggressively taken proactive measures to ensure a safe environment for their local citizens and visitors alike. CHTA and CTO have partnered with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in support of these measures.

Among the initiatives which have been undertaken are:

Information and Awareness:

Hotel staff and guests are being provided with the necessary information regarding prevention, transmission and symptoms of mosquito borne illnesses such as Zika.

Vector Management Programs: These are programs to prevent mosquito breeding. Throughout the region, Government health agencies and Caribbean hotels have put in place aggressive programs utilizing the latest methods, technologies and non-chemical controls. Hotels have trained their teams to identify and eliminate potential breeding grounds and also extend their efforts and knowledge beyond the immediate hotel grounds to surrounding communities.

Guest Precautions: Guests are being advised to use long-lasting insect repellent on exposed skin. In many Caribbean hotels, insect repellent is placed in guest rooms on complimentary basis and as a courtesy or made

easily available for purchase. Employees and guests are advised to wear protective clothing, if not using repellent, during dawn and dusk. These are the times that Zika-carrying mosquitos are active. Many hotels have mosquito screens on their windows and/or netting around the guest beds as an added precaution.

Clean-Up Campaigns: Countries across the region have undertaken national clean-up campaigns to help eradicate breeding grounds and also, there are ongoing educational programs on television and radio.

PRECAUTIONS FOR TRAVELERS

Guests are advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against insect bites in very much the same way they would on any holiday in any tropical country or at home. Pregnant women or women seeking to become pregnant should consult with their medical professional.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health agencies, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have said that Zika symptoms for the vast majority of people are mild and last two to seven days. In fact, according to the WHO and the CDC, four in five people who contract the virus never know they have it. People who contract the disease are then immune for life.

ONGOING MONITORING

The CHTA and CTO take the health and safety of our guests very seriously. Based on the evidence and
the aggressive efforts being undertaken, we firmly believe that when the necessary precautions are taken, the potential Zika virus should not impede a positive Caribbean vacation experience. Reflecting this, the World Health Organization has not issued any travel restrictions to any Caribbean countries. We will continue to closely monitor this issue and take all steps necessary to ensure our partners and guests are kept up to date with any new developments. As well, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel
& Tourism Association (CHTA) remain in close contact with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to monitor and research the Zika cases in the Caribbean and to communicate prevention and control measures to residents and visitors.

For more information visit:

Caribbean Public Health Agency:

http://carpha.org/zika

Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association:

http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/knowledge/learning-tools/resources/

Caribbean Tourism Organization:

http://www.onecaribbean.org/?s=zika

United States Centers for Disease Control:

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

August, 2016