On Tuesday 7th March, 2023 during a Courtesy Call with the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Director of Surveillance, Prevention and Control Division, Dr. Lisa Indar, the Minister of Health & Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael R. Darville along with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pearl McMillan, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Dr. Kenneth Romer and President of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, Mr. Robert Sands, all reaffirmed their joint endorsement of the Tourism and Health Program (THP) and commitment to encouraging tourism and hospitality facilities throughout The Bahamas to fully participate in the program. 

All stakeholders present acknowledged that the promotion of a healthier, safer tourism product not only protects residents and visitors, but it also aids in sustaining economy growth. The health related data collected can help to strengthen the country’s surveillance capacity to monitor and respond to tourism and community based public health events and is managed with strict confidentiality. 

The THP uses a secure web-based system designed to collect non -identifying health data from properties in real time and provide an early warning alert to health risk trends. The alerts trigger a response from the country’s National Surveillance Unit to investigate and mitigate against potential risk of an illness or disease spread. Each facility will only have access to its own data. CARPHA will not have access to individual data. 

Personal information about guests, workers or the company is not collected. Use of the health information monitoring system and training in health and safety measures are prerequisites for awarding tourism facilities (including accommodations, restaurants, events, tour operators) the Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award. The HST award is recognized by regional and global tourism and health stakeholders. Moreover, it gives travelers the added assurance of choosing a healthier, safer option when making travel plans. 

This week, ahead of CARPHA’s 67th Annual Health Research Conference that will be hosted in The Bahamas, April 27-29, 2023 at the Atlantis Resort, the THP conducted several training sessions at hotel properties on New Providence and with members of the National Surveillance Unit. The program is expected to be implemented throughout the archipelago with ongoing training opportunities.

 Facilities that participate in the Tourism and Health Program and complete the standard requirements are awarded the Healthier, Safer Tourism (HST) Stamp. The THP was officially launched in 2016 in six countries inclusive of The Bahamas and has now extended to 13 countries. To learn more about the program or the upcoming conference visit https://www.carpha.org. 

(l to r) Dr. Kenneth Romer-Deputy Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; Mr. Colin Higgs-Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health & Wellness; Hon. Dr. Michael R. Darville-Minister, Ministry of Health & Wellness; Dr. Lisa Indar-Director of Surveillance, Prevention and Control Division, CARPHA; Dr. Pearl McMillan-Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health & Wellness; Mr. Robert Sands-President, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association