MEXICO (May 18, 2012) - During the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Americas Summit, taking place in Riviera Maya, Mexico, Alec Sanguinetti, director general and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), was invited to a private breakfast meeting for a select group of private sector travel executives by Mexico President Felipe Calderon.

In discussions with President Calderon, Sanguinetti inquired about the success of the US Visa program that Mexico introduced two years ago and President Calderon confirmed that the results so far have been impressive with 300,000 additional arrivals in the first year and 200,000 last year. The policy that was introduced allows any national of any other country to enter Mexico if they are in possession of a valid U.S. Visa.

"Caribbean governments need to take note of Mexico's example and facilitate the same process for Caribbean countries so that people can visit our destinations more easily," said Sanguinetti.  "Over half a million people that normally would not have visited Mexico have entered the country with a valid U.S. visa within the last two years since the program since the program launched.  We are confident that we would see many more visitors to our shores if our governments take such a logical course of action and adapt similar legislation," stated Sanguinetti.

"The substantial negative effect of over-regulation of the travel industry is something we must all address and CHTA has this on our immediate radar. We have invited David Scowsill, president and CEO of WTTC to present their just-released 'Travel Facilitation' study at next month's Caribbean Tourism Summit, taking place June 15-16 in Montego Bay Jamaica, as part of the first general session titled 'International Aviation Policy - Its Impact on Caribbean Tourism' and I urge all those who care about the future of Caribbean tourism to attend this inaugural Summit" added Sanguinetti.

The conference program and full details about the Caribbean Tourism Summit can be obtained via: http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/events-caribbean-tourism-summit/about.php or by contacting CHTA Conferences and Events, 305-443-3040 or email: events@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.

Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) facilitates the full potential of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry by serving members' needs and building partnerships in a socially responsible and sustainable manner.  Celebrating its Golden Jubilee in 2012, CHTA is the voice of the Caribbean hospitality industry for the development of the region in the highly competitive and sophisticated environment of international tourism. Today, tourism is widely recognized as a pivotal industry in the economy of the region - and CHTA functions as the common denominator for this industry in a region of diverse nationalities, languages and styles, identifying mutual problems and marshaling the resources of the active and allied members to devise solutions. CHTA represents all facets of the hospitality industry with more than 725 member hotels and 375 allied members.

For more information, visit http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.
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