The TCI Ministry of Health and Human Services through its National AIDS Programme, will join the Ministry of Tourism, Tourist Board and the Hotel and Tourism Association for a Press Conference on the 9^th September, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the Regent Palms Resort, Providenciales, at which a Memorandum of Commitment will be signed for the development of a Health and Wellness programme for the tourism sector.

This Health and Wellness programme will address prevention and ways of controlling chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, HIV and AIDS that are of grave concern to   residents of TCI.

There is considerable evidence both regionally and internationally that addressing health and wellness issues with persons in their workplace is a highly effective strategy.  The National AIDS Programme in conjunction with the Hotel and Tourism Association and the Ministries of Tourism, and Health and Human Services, with technical assistance from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and Associates for International Development (AIDInc) have developed a two year coasted work-plan that includes educating and training persons within the tourism sector.

This work-plan, along with the commitment of the TCI Hotel and Tourism Association and other organizations to implement programs within individual hotels and other tourism entities is critical; it will assist organizations in keeping a healthier workforce within the workplace.

AID’s Coordinator, Mrs. Aldora Robinson, stated that she was happy to finally be able to implement such an intervention within the tourism sector that would address staff morale, absenteeism, high staff turnover and low retention within the tourism sector.

“Tourism is our bread and butter and we have to ensure that we take in the ‘whole man’ by addressing these challenges holistically. After all, 51% of persons living within our islands work within the tourism sector. As stated by the Nassau Declaration of 2001 - The Health of a Nation is the Wealth of a Nation.”