The private hotel and tourism sector in Saint Lucia is spearheading a coordinated relief initiative to support Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Noorani Azeez, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), announced on October 29 that the organization has received directives from its parent body, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), to activate its disaster relief fund. Azeez revealed that the SLHTA has already briefed its board of directors and is formulating a strategy to engage its members and the broader Saint Lucian community in contributing to the recovery efforts. The SLHTA, representing over 200 members, plans to align its relief operations with assessments conducted by Jamaican authorities and international partners, ensuring a targeted approach to address critical needs. Azeez emphasized that collaborating with the CHTA offers a more structured and effective framework for mobilizing private sector aid, even though some SLHTA members operate hotel brands in affected areas like Jamaica. Hurricane Melissa, a record-breaking Category 5 storm with winds reaching 185mph, caused significant devastation across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and The Bahamas, resulting in at least 34 fatalities and widespread structural damage. As regional tourism stakeholders gear up for recovery efforts, Azeez affirmed that Saint Lucia and the SLHTA are well-prepared to contribute, drawing on their past experience in providing relief to Dominica, Grenada, and St Vincent.