The Regional Tourism and Health/Travelers Health Program (THP) is a novel, innovative, multi-sectoral,
multifaceted program that is addressing the health, safety and environmental sanitation (HSE) threats to tourism
with the aim of strengthening countries capacity to prepare for and respond to public health threats which can
transcend national boundaries and negatively affect access to goods and thereby enhance the health and safety of
visitors and locals, regional health security, and the quality, reputation and sustainability of Caribbean
tourism
It is being executed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean’s sole public health agency
responsible for preventing disease, promoting and protecting health, in collaboration with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and countries.
This unique programme is using a multi-faceted and multisectoral (real time early warning and response tourism and health information system (THiS), regional guidelines for response to traveler
health issues in accommodation and passenger ship settings , capacity building in food safety capacity , hospitality health
safety and environmental standards, policy) (regional and international health and tourism partners)
approach for implementation. The program has built capacity and equipped countries with regional tools that
supports preparedness and response to public health threats like COVID -19.
This program comprises: A comprehensive network of traveller’s health information from THiS (for air travelers)
hospitals/health centres, accommodations, cruise ships, laboratories and environment, media reports and
international health and tourism agencies public health agencies via the Caribbean Travel health Network
(CATHNET) Together, this multipronged approach stimulates a rapid and coordinated response to public health
threats
This is the first integrated program of its kind, setting an international precedent for improving sustainable
tourism and regional health security