 |
Record Hotel Investment Predicted Despite Down Economy
According to an article in Travel Weekly, based on a PricewaterhouseCoopers forecast, the U.S. lodging industry will invest approximately $5.85 billion in 2008, a 6.4% increase over 2007. In a subsequent statement, officials from the Caribbean hotel industry are predicting a similar trend across the tropical region, especially in hotspots such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, as well as up-and-coming destinations of growing popularity such as Aruba, Turks & Caicos and Trinidad & Tobago, the later of which will be hosting the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), May 6-8, 2008. Taking place at the expansive conference center in the newly-opened Hyatt Regency Trinidad, the invaluable event will provide significant networking opportunities for those seeking to invest in Caribbean tourism, as well as insights on trends and market outlooks from some of the region’s brightest and most influential figures. The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) expects to exceed last year’s attendance record of 400 delegates with an even greater number of developers, hoteliers (both local and international brands), commercial real estate professionals, architects, marketing consultants and financial professionals. For registration info and other details, visit the event website while space is still available.
Caribbean Tourism to Be Carbon-Neutral
The Caribbean Hotel Association and the Caribbean Tourism Organization have presented a joint paper on the regional tourism industry’s position as it relates to climate change, the major thrust being that Caribbean tourism aims to become ‘carbon-neutral.’ Caribbean tourism depends heavily on the sustainability of its natural and environmental assets and Caribbean countries must not be disadvantaged, or their development efforts curtailed, as a result of mitigation efforts by industrialized, developed countries acting to curtail their own negative impacts on the environment. The CHA and CTO joint position further concedes that while effective taxation plays a part in the widespread approach to reduce carbon monoxide emissions, there is a need to apply such schemes to all transport sectors, not just aviation. In their joint statement, CHA and CTO also pointed to the potential consequences of transport services passing on the cost of carbon credits to the passengers, which could discourage long-haul travel to the region. (Source: The Bahama Journal)
Record Turn Out at Caribbean Council Annual Reception in UK
The 2008 Caribbean Council annual reception at the House of Lords earlier this month was a huge success. With over 200 Members of Parliament, Peers, officials, diplomats, CBBC, Cuba Initiative and Anglo Dominican Trade Council members and their guests present, the event has truly become an annual fixture in the diary of all connected with the Caribbean in the United Kingdom. The Secretary of State for Development, Douglas Alexander MP, the principal speaker, spoke warmly about the importance the United Kingdom attached to its relationship with the Caribbean and noted that Britain looked forward to holding detailed conversations later this year on matters of mutual interest at the time of UK Caribbean Government to Government forum. For more information visit the Caribbean Council at www.caribbean-council.org. (Source: Caribbean Council)
Canadian Snowbirds Boost Cuban Tourism Recovery
Canadian tourists fleeing a harsh winter and buoyed by their strong dollar are flocking to Cuban beaches in record numbers and helping Cuba's tourist trade end a two-year slump. Cuban hotel managers said a surge in Canadian "snowbirds" led to unprecedented tourism during the winter months of January through March. Uncertainty over Cuba's future since Fidel Castro fell ill nearly two years ago and handed over power to his brother has not deterred tourism. On the contrary, having Cuba in the news has spurred interest in visiting the communist-run country, travel agents said. In January this year, Cuba received more tourists than in any high season since it opened up to foreign investment and tourism in the mid-1990s (247,386 visitors). Almost half were Canadians, a 30 percent increase over January last year. The European market remains stagnant for Cuba, according to official figures for January. (Source: Reuters) go >
Hotel Association Events
Cayman Ramps Up for 7th Annual CITE
The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) is hosting the 7th Annual Cayman Islands Tourism Exchange (CITE) April 30 - May 2, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. CITE is the only face-to-face forum which provides an excellent platform for wholesalers to learn about new products and developments, or to become re-acquainted with the wide spectrum of tourism offerings in the Cayman Islands. For further information, contact India Narcisse at Tel: 345-949-8522 / E-mail: india@cita.ky
The 12th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism
CMEx XII
May 15-19, 2008
Puerto Rico
U.S.V.I. to ‘Sizzle’ With Destination Symposium
The U.S.V.I. Hotel & Tourism Association’s 15th annual Destination Symposium, themed Sizzling Summer Sampler, will be held June 2-6, 2008. The Symposium is the largest gathering of travel industry partners in the territory, assembling traditional and online tour operators, hoteliers, airlines, association members, local tourism professionals, and media to renew relationships and provide updates on product and infrastructure improvements. The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa and Frenchman’s Reef Marriott will host the delegates. For registration and sponsorship information, contact the U.S.V.I. Hotel & Tourism Association at Tel: 340-774-6835 / E-mail: canika@virgin-islands-hotels.com.
CHA Weekly News is produced by the Caribbean Hotel Association for its members and stakeholders. Please submit all comments to communication@caribbeanhotelassociation.com
Changes in your email address or membership information should be addressed to membership@caribbeanhotelassociation.com
CHA Weekly News may contain advertisements.
|
 |
Coming up
Jamaica Product Exchange
JAPEX 2008
April 25-27, 2008
Hilton Kingston Hotel, Jamaica
10th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development
STC-10
April 28-May 1, 2008
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa
CSHAE Leadership Conference
May 4-6, 2008
Trinidad & Tobago
Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference
CHTIC 2008
May 6-8, 2008
Hyatt Regency Trinidad
St Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow
SMART 2008
May 20-22, 2008
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, St. Maarten
Annual Caribbean Tourism Summit
ACTS
June 21-25, 2008
International Trade Center
Washington D.C.
Small Hotels Retreat
Coming in September
Taste of the Caribbean
Coming in September
Member Corner
Getty Images Offers Discount to CHA Members
Getty Images, the world’s leading provider of images and footage for advertising professionals, is now a proud member of CHA. The company’s award-winning photographers and filmmakers help create inspiring work which appears in the world’s most influential newspapers, magazines, films, advertising campaigns, television programs and Websites. Thousands of Caribbean and travel related images and footage clips are available in the company’s diverse collection portfolio. CHA members currently receive a 20% discount on all purchases from Getty Images with the promotional code: MZ9PC46N. For more information, contact Getty Images at Tel: 800-462-4379 / E-mail: infola@gettyimages.com / Website: www.gettyimages.com
Top-Notch Musical Acts From The Entertainment Agency
The Entertainment Agency has been providing quality musical entertainment to hotel, nightclub and resort venues throughout the Caribbean and Bermuda for more than 30 years. Established in 1968, the company has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of international piano bar entertainers (see examples), as well as guitarist/vocalist entertainers, pop duos, jazz acts and dance bands for long- or short-term engagements (see more examples). Contact The Entertainment Agency at Tel: 508-885-6911 / E-mail: Caribbean@EntAgency.com / Website: www.entagency.com
Strategic Partners
|
|
