High airline fares stifling tourism sector – CHTA president

President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Josef Forstmayr says the lack of competition in the regional airline industry is stifling the tourism sector.



According to Forstmayr the lack of a competitive and truly regional airline, regional tourism has been suffocated by outrageous ticket prices and a cumbersome and ill-conceived network.



He said there has to be a strong consensus by regional leaders and the public so that travel and tourism will receive the full support it needs as the Caribbean’s most vital export industry.



Forstmayr said regional travel is also being hampered by the inability of Caribbean nationals to move freely between their countries, without being subjected to visas, long immigration lines and other bureaucratic indulgences.