Third OECS Council Meeting on Tourism matters ends with several recommendations on further advancing the sector.

Officials are reporting a successful conclusion to the 3^rd OECS Council of Ministers Meeting on Tourism matters which was held in Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday April 21^st 2016.
The discussions yielded several agreements pertinent to advancing the region’s economic development such as the continuation of joint promotion of activities in the Tourism sector and exploring the possibility via Cabinet of Government Ministers of Member States for endorsement to provide between 0.5-1% of respective Tourism marketing Budgets dedicated to a regional tourism marketing fund.
An agreement was reached to explore the possibility of Medical tourism in Member States as a niche area in the OECS. Also on health related matters the OECS Council meeting on tourism agreed to collaborate closely with Health Ministers in respective Member States in the regional drive to combat potential health crises, with a view to promoting and ensuring consistency and effectiveness in the approach to mitigating the potentially devastating impacts of those diseases. Ministers of Tourism have agreed to support the efforts of their colleagues Ministers of Health to support the international health regulations.
Ministers expressed grave concern over the limitations of air transportation and are to recommend to the OECS Head of Government that the region moves expeditiously to finalise and ratify the OECS Air Services Agreement (ASA).
Another recommendation coming out of the just ended 3^rd OECS Council meeting on Tourism Matters is to develop a catalogue showcasing the unique attractions/ products in respective Member States.
Ministers also agreed to follow-up, where applicable with the relevant agencies, with a view to expediting the establishment of the One Stop Security Arrangement and to recommend to Ministers of Finance to pilot the reduction of taxes on airfares during slow travel to assess the impact on intra-regional travel.
The 3^rd meeting of the OECS Council of Ministers on Tourism Matters was held in Antigua and Barbuda at the Sandals Grande Resort & Spa, under the theme: OECS Economic Union- Tourism, the Driver of Growth and Development.