Advocacy

Advocacy has become more important for the SHTA to assist in the creation of stronger economic and environmental policies to improve tourism development. The SHTA is represented on several government-private sector steering groups and work groups to continue to build a sustainable economy. Quarterly meetings with the Island Government’s Executive council, meetings with government commissioners and department heads are the channels where issues important to the business community are discussed as well as economic impacts of proposed regulations are evaluated.

Some highlights in our Advocacy activities:

• Representation to Government
  The SHTA lobbies for sound development policies to all three levels of government and is represented on many committees, councils and boards on island and federal level.
• National Tourism Organization
  The SHTA has been the driving force behind the National Tourism Organization (NTO), a private-public partnership that will become responsible for overall tourism policy, development and promotion.
• Research and Statistics
  The SHTA gathers data through surveys among its members and through various industry partners to compare local results with regional and global trends.
• Task Forces
  The SHTA is represented on several taskforces that aim to provide economic relief after disasters, among others the Lenny Recovery Fund, the 911 Recovery Fund.
• Economic Recovery Fund
  The SHTA is represented on the Economic Recovery Fund that channels government funds to marketing initiatives, advertising campaigns and public relations.