The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) has named a working committee, chaired by President Robin Russell to take a broad look at the numerous challenges facing the tourism sector and its workers.

This, as the association has taken keen notice of the recent unrest among some workers within the sector.

It said it is pleased to see that the workers have, with the intervention of the ministries of labour and tourism, found sufficient reassurances to return to work.

The JHTA further acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue and understanding between tourism employers and their workers.

The association said where specific disagreements arise concerning working conditions, there must be a willingness by the parties, to ensure a positive outcome.

It said Jamaica’s tourism sector has been characterized by collaboration and partnership with outstanding and world-renowned team members who provide excellent experiences for visitors, leading to an over 40% repeat guest ratio.

The JHTA said its member companies and tourism businesses continue to do everything in their power to support team members.

It also noted that this year has been extremely challenging for most member businesses, as there has been a confluence of external shocks that have and continue to depress both room rates and hotel occupancies.

The JHTA said to exacerbate the matter, there remains a growing problem of unavailability of sufficient air seats to Jamaica to satisfy the rapidly expanding tourism sector.

It said this has impacted tourist arrivals and occupancy, which has had an impact on staffing schedules and aspects of compensation for some workers.

The JHTA also noted shocks, which it says negatively impacted the sector. Such shocks include negative travel advisories from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, a protracted and adversarial US presidential election, as well as higher than normal load factors on airlines serving Jamaica.

It said taking all of these issues into consideration, the council of the JHTA named the working committee, to examine the numerous challenges facing the sector and its workers.

The association added that the information gleaned from the committee will form the basis of recommendations to be made to its members to take any necessary action, across the sector.