"I was recently asked by a journalist to highlight one of my main goals...and I replied that I would like the general population here to embrace this thing called tourism and see it as a meaningful contributor to their economic well-being. It doesn’t matter how many slick, glossy brochures, posters and ads we produce, without the support of the national media and journalists who make the effort to understand the nuances of the industry and in turn, communicate their knowledge to their various audiences, ours would be an uphill battle."  - Warren Solomon, Vice President, Tourism, TIDCO / CMExpress, March 2005

Background

The Caribbean tourism industry is the most important economic activity and principal foreign exchange earner for the region.  It is an effective tool to fight poverty and should be harnessed to better the lives of the region's poorer communities.  But there is still a need to increase the awareness of the Caribbean people of the importance of this industry to the economic and social wellbeing of the region. Likewise, many Caribbean Governments have yet to recognize the industry’s importance and develop policies that foster its sustainable development. 

The CHA believes that the media can contribute significantly to highlight the positive impacts of tourism and therefore help shape public opinion and policy.  With the double aim of facilitating travel and tourism reporting as a benefit to CHA members - and fostering excellence in tourism reporting in the Caribbean in order to raise regional awareness about the impact of tourism - CHA is committed to open and mutual lines of communication with the regional and international press.  With that in mind, we seek to maintain the media abreast of CHA efforts on an ongoing basis.

2008 News releases
News from the Caribbean Hotel Association and its subsidiaries and divisions - including the Caribbean Hotel Foundation, the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, and the Caribbean Tourism Development Company.  Downloadable pdf files.

• CHA APPLAUDS PM INGRAHAM FOR SUPPORT OF TOURISM AT CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING
  March 12, 2008
  
  
• CARIBBEAN HOTEL ASSOCIATION BOARD COMMENDS IATA REPORT ON THE NEED FOR REGIONAL AVIATION POLICIES
  January 15, 2008

• CARIBBEAN HOTEL ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH EUROPE

January 14, 2008

ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE CARIBBEAN CONCLUDED

• CALL TO ACTION FOR CARIBBEAN HOSPITALITY EMPLOYEES, PROFESSORS, AND STUDENTS
  CHA Education Foundation’s 2008 Scholarship Program Opens
  January 3, 2008

2007 News releases

• CARIBBEAN’S TOURISM INDUSTRY GEARS UP FOR TOP SALES AND MARKETING EVENT OF THE YEAR
  December 19, 2007
  
  

• CARIBBEAN HOTEL ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS WITH THE EUROPEAN TRAVEL TRADE
  Gala raises US$40,000.00 for CHA Education Foundation
  November 12, 2007

• CHA REACTS TO DEVELOPMENTS IN EPA NEGOTIATIONS
  September 28, 2007
  
  

• CARIBBEAN HOTEL SECTOR OVERTAXED IN DETRIMENT OF REVENUES FOR THE WIDER ECONOMY

  Taxation study calls on governments to reconsider the fiscal burden imposed on hotels
  September 28, 2007.  Download copy of study.

• CHA CONTINUES TO LOBBY FOR TOURISM INTERESTS IN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
  Ongoing efforts seek to ensure that recommendations for the liberalization of regional tourism services are included in external trade negotiations that the Caribbean is involved in.
  September 13, 2007

• SPANISH HOTEL INVESTORS COME TO THE TABLE WITH CARIBBEAN TOURISM INDUSTRY
  September 10, 2007

• SEPTEMBER IS WORLD TOURISM MONTH
  CHA celebrates theme: “Tourism Opens Doors for Women”
  September 7, 2007
  
  
• CARIBBEAN SMALL HOTELS RENDEZVOUS IN BARBADOS
  Owners and operators gather in retreat to address drawbacks and opportunities specific to
  the smaller hotel operation
  August 22, 2007

• ST. LUCIA HOTEL EMPLOYEE AWARDED VIRGIN HOLIDAYS TOURISM MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
  Other 25 students and professionals from 13 Caribbean islands were also awarded grants
  July 12, 2007
  
  

• CREATIVITY AND LEARNING REIGN AT TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN 2007, MIAMI

  Judges commend Caribbean chefs on high standards at regional culinary competition;
  Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago share top honors 

  June 25, 2007
  
  

• JAMAICA’S JOSEF FORSTMAYR, ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS, HONORED AS 2007 CARIBBEAN HOTELIER OF THE YEAR

  June 19, 2007
  
  

• WIDER CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH PROGRAM STILL OPEN
  June 19, 2007

• CHA: TEMPORARY LIFT OF US PASSPORT REQUIREMENT ENCOURAGING, BUT INSUFFICIENT
  Caribbean Hotel Association reiterates damage to Caribbean economies
  June 18, 2007

• ENRIQUE DE MARCHENA IS VOTED PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE CARIBBEAN HOTEL ASSOCIATION 

  June 17, 2007

• AMERICAN EXPRESS LAUNCHES BRAND-NEW MARKETING CARIBBEAN PROMOTION

  Campaign promotes visitor spend
  June 17, 2007
  
  
  

• THREE CARIBBEAN JOURNALISTS HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM REPORTING
  Awards Designed to Raise Awareness of Impact of Tourism in the Region

• SANDALS GRANDE OCHO RIOS BEACH AND VILLA RESORT HONOREDWITH 2007 AMERICAN EXPRESS CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

  Employee training and community awareness at the heart of initiatives
  June 17, 2007

• AMERICAN EXPRESS AND CHA PAY TRIBUTE TO EXCELLENCE IN THE CARIBBEAN HOSPITALITY WORKFORCE

  Dominican Republic and USVI nab top service awards

  June 17, 2007

• WILLEM JONCKHEER NAMED 2007 CHA ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
  June 17, 2007

• TRINIDAD AND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES HONORED

  June 17, 2007

• CARIBBEAN TOURISM INVESTMENT FUND GATHERS FORCE

  Fund would foster regional entrepreneurship
  June 4, 2007

• CAST CHAIRMAN, SIR ROYSTON O. HOPKIN KCMG REVALIDATES FOR A THIRD TERM
  Governing Council meeting in Punta Cana generates new business plan strategies for the betterment of the sustainable tourism industry
  June 1st, 2007

• ANGUILLA, BARBADOS AND ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES GARNER TOURISM COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS
  May 22, 2007
  

• NATIONAL HOTEL ASSOCIATION LEADERES MEET IN BARBADOS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS, EXPERIENCES, AND TRAIN IN CRUCIAL ISSUES
  Intra-Caribbean mentorship program under development
  May 16, 2007

• CHTIC HONORS PETER DOLARA WITH THE 2007 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
  The American Airlines executive announced new routes to Caribbean’s destinations
  May 15, 2007

• CARIBBEAN TOURISM MEDIA AWARDS GROW IN SCOPE
  Introduction of new category marks 5th anniversary of recognition program
  March 26, 2007

• CARIBBEAN TOURISM AIMS TO BECOME CARBON NEUTRAL
  Private and public sectors support a holistic approach with real solutions
  March 14, 2007

• CARIBBEAN TOURISM MEETING WITH UK STAKEHOLDERS SEEKS UNITY IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE
  March 12, 2007
  
  

• HOTEL SPEND STUDY SHEDS LIGHT ON LOCAL SPENDING IN THE REGION

  Research quantifies the importance of the hotel and accommodation sector as a consumer of locally produced goods and services
  March 5, 2007

• AND THE AWARD GOES TO…RESPONSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
  American Express announces the opening of its 2007 Caribbean Environmental Award
  February 26, 2007

• REGIONAL HOTEL INVESTMENT CONFAB ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL A-LIST
  2007 agenda introduces concept of development tracks
  February 23, 2007

• AMERICAN EXPRESS AIMS SPOTLIGHT AT CARIBBEAN REGION
  Consumer travel division to incorporate new Caribbean brand in marketing vehicles
  February 1, 2007

• CALL TO ACTION FOR CARIBBEAN TOURISM'S STUDENTS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
  The Caribbean Hotel Foundation’s 2007 scholarship program starts
  January 26, 2007

• AMERICAN EXPRESS ANNOUNCES 2007 PORTFOLIO OF PROGRAMS TO BENEFIT CARIBBEAN TOURISM
  Strategic partnership with Caribbean Hotel Association is officially renewed
  January 16, 2007

• CARIBBEAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LAUNCHED BY CTO, CHA TO PROTECT THE BRAND, GENERATE MARKETING
  January 16, 2007

• ANNUAL CARIBBEAN HOSPITALITY CONFERENCE EVOLVES
  CHIC gives way to shorter, more streamlined meeting
  January 10, 2007

Research and position statements

• Hotel Spend Study Sheds Light on Local Spending in the Region (2007)

• CHA Position on Climate Change and Carbon Emission Trading (2007)

• Private Sector Positions on Tourism Services in Trade Negotiations (2004)
• The Caribbean: the Impact of Travel & Tourism on Jobs and the Economy (2004)

Awards for excellence in tourism reporting

The Caribbean Tourism Media Awards were established in 2001 by American Express and CHA, to raise awareness about the impact of tourism throughout the region by fostering excellence in tourism reporting in the Caribbean. Winners are awarded and recognized for quality in professional reporting on tourism and tourism development issues in the region. 

Caribbean media professionals, whilst not members of the tourism industry as employees or hoteliers, have collectively become a force in helping shape Caribbean Tourism.  Through their work, over the years, the press has become witness and biographers of our industry’s work and actions, helping educate, sensitize, and mold public opinion.

In 2007, the Caribbean Tourism Organization teamed up CHA and American Express to present these awards jointly.

Stimulating an invested regional media

CHA is a steadfast supporter of the Caribbean Media Exchange for Sustainable Tourism (CMEx), established in 2001 by Counterpart International to improve the quality of media coverage of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. Further, it sought to increase the input of the media in the design of sustainable tourism policies, and highlight the necessity of tourism to the economies of small island states. Four years and 12 conferences later, it continues to grow from strength to strength.

Interview requests
For general queries and interview requests with a CHA officer, contact Richard Kahn, public relations representative for CHA.

Press queries and media leads

CHA facilitates requests for information from the members of the press.  A journalist seeking information from Caribbean hotels and/or Caribbean hotel associations should contact Richard Kahn, public relations representative for CHA.