Dehring calls on tourism sector to provide financial support for WI

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

In a powerful address to the region's tourism leaders, Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Chris Dehring issued a stark challenge, calling on airlines and hotels that profit from the sport to finally "pull their weight" and provide crucial financial support.

Speaking at the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), Dehring laid out the uncomfortable truth that while West Indies cricket has pumped over US$200 million into the Caribbean tourism economy over the last 15 years, it has received almost nothing in return from the sector.

"We've spent US$82.5 million on airlift over the last 15 years, but received zero dollars in sponsorship from airlines," Dehring stated, highlighting a relationship he described as "one-sided." "It is not fair to the development of our sport."

The financial figures presented were staggering: US$82.5 million spent on airlift for teams and officials. US$120 million spent on hotel accommodations across the region.

Despite this massive injection of cash, Dehring revealed that sponsorship from the tourism sector has been virtually non-existent, with one notable exception: Sandals Resorts International.

He praised Sandals for setting "the benchmark for meaningful support," while pointing out that the rest of the regional hotel sector has failed to follow their lead.

"The truth is, the rest of the regional hotel sector has never matched their example," Dehring said.

The CWI CEO framed this not as a plea, but as a necessary conversation for the survival of the game. He argued that tourism reaps tremendous benefits from cricket, driving visitor arrivals, filling hotel rooms, and strengthening the Caribbean brand--while CWI is left to shoulder the entire financial burden.

"This is not about shifting responsibility. It is about acknowledging that CWI as an organisation cannot do it alone," Dehring stressed. "Shared investment is critical at this juncture for future-proofing our beloved game."