A number of publications function as vehicles for CHA to serve its members.

CHA and industry-related publications

CHA Weekly News
The CHA Weekly News is a topical bulletin distributed by email to all CHA members every Tuesday afternoon. It contains the most recent news and information on the tourism industry, the region, and CHA.  In the Members' Corner section, allied and hotel members have an vehicle to announce their news with their fellow CHA members-appointments, special deals, best practices.  Past issues are available from the website. 

Construction and Modernization Report
Now in electronic format, the Hotel Construction and Modernization Report provides information on hotel developments in CHA member countries: proposed constructions, refurbishments and expansions.  Updated regularly, the Report is switching to a new management system, to offer members an enhanced database with current information.  Contact CHA's Membership Department to request a link to the report.

Caribbean Small Hotels Reference Manual
The Caribbean Small Hotels Reference Manual, written and edited by experienced Small Hotel Operators and other industry stakeholders, is a basic, hands-on practical guide to housekeeping, food & beverage, marketing, purchasing, and other essential elements involved in the effective management of a small property in the Caribbean.  Available for downloading in English and Spanish in the members-only section.

Hurricane Preparedness Manual
The Hurricane Preparedness Manual was produced in conjunction with CTO, largely through donations from American Express and IH&RA’s Fund for the Future. The manual covers preparedness and damage control, readiness during the passing of a hurricane, and post-disaster mitigation and recovery. Sent automatically to all new CHA hotel members, it offers advice on guest and property safety and security, insurance coverage, and disaster communications. Due to the Caribbean’s vulnerability to hurricanes, the Hurricane Preparedness Manual is an essential publication.  Available for downloading in the members-only section.

Annual Report
The Annual Report offers a record of the activity and progress of CHA’s programs and services. It presents the achievements and results of CHA standing committees and divisions, projects in progress, and future goals, as well as general financial statements of the organization.  Electronic version available in the members-only section.

Environmental management

Produced by the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST)

The Globe Trotter: The Green Globe Caribbean Newsletter
A new monthly newsletter for Green Globe Certified and Benchmarked properties; deals with all issues pertaining to the Green Globe Caribbean program.

BroadCAST:An electronic published quarterly, which features a main article, information on industry leaders, news from CAST and regional sustainable tourism information.

Environmental Toolkits for Caribbean Hoteliers
Five guides to assist you in key operational areas:  Environmental Management, Energy, Water Conservation, Waste Management; Wastewater.  These practical toolkits are available electronically for downloading. 

For more information on how CAST can help your property operate in a more sustainable, cost-effective, and profitable manner, contact Deirdre Shurland, at 787.725.9139, email: dshurland@caribbeanhotelassociation.com or visit the CAST website at www.cha-cast.com.

Human resources and operations
Apprenticeship Operations Manual
This publication provides detailed guidelines on how to establish an apprenticeship program. It is useful both for destinations and for individual establishments. Available for downloading in the members-only section.

How to Conduct a Food & Beverage Competition Manual
The manual provides simple and flexible, step-by-step recommendations on how to handle the basic aspects in the coordination of a food & beverage competition. The manual is based upon the ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ regional culinary competition, coordinated by CHA Services. The guidelines have been developed taking very much into account their capacity to be adapted to different competition sizes, establishments, and organizations. Some core aspects explained include competition formats and categories, registration and rules, judging criteria, complementary activities, budget considerations, and others. Available for downloading in the members-only section.

Culinary Occupational Standards Manual
This manual provides simple and flexible guidelines on what constitutes core competencies for kitchen operations.  It details key performance standards and tasks applicable to various culinary positions, regardless of the size, style, or location of the operation. The guidelines have been developed taking into consideration the realities of small hotel and restaurant facilities, in which employees have to play multiple roles and tasks. Available for downloading in the members-only section.

CARIBCERT Occupational Standards and Checklist Manuals
These 50 manuals, each describing standards of performance and task analysis for one particular hotel position are primarily available to candidates for the CARIBCERT Certification System, but can be requested by hotels and educational institutions to support curricula development and training. Available for downloading in the members-only section.

Adopt-A-School Manual
Available in hard copy or electronically to assist National Hotel Associations and their members with the establishment and administration of school/industry partnership programs.

On video:
Set on Contemporary Caribbean Cuisine
Produced from footage recorded during ‘Taste of the Caribbean’, the acclaimed regional culinary competition, the videos depict six leading chefs preparing their favorite Contemporary Caribbean Cuisine dishes, while passing on a variety of useful tips. These videos are a must for anyone wishing to learn more about Contemporary Caribbean Cuisine and make a perfect gift for friends abroad.

Contact CHA's Membership Department.

Studies and position statements

Study: The Caribbean - The Impact of Travel & Tourism on Jobs and the Economy
The study on the economic impact of Travel & Tourism in the Caribbean was commissioned by CHA with the sponsorship of American Express. The report, a first for the Caribbean, was released to the public in June 2004. The report presents the most comprehensive analysis of the tourism satellite account for the Caribbean ever undertaken and considers 25 Caribbean countries collectively and individually. It quantifies all aspects of travel and tourism demand, from personal consumption, to business purchases, capital investment, government spending, and exports. It then translates this information into economic concepts of production, such as gross domestic product, which can be compared with other industries and the economy as a whole to provide credible statistical information that will assist in policy and business decision making. Beyond the statistical information, the report goes on to present policy recommendations to overcome critical challenges and ensure the long-term sustainable development of Caribbean travel and tourism, with maximum benefits for all stakeholders. Available online (downloadable PDF).

Study: The Caribbean Accommodation Sector as a Consumer of Locally Produced Goods and Services and Contributor to Government Revenues

Conducted by Tourism Global Inc. on behalf of the Caribbean Hotel Association, with funding provided by Pro€Invest, an agency of the Centre for Development Enterprise of the European Union. The CHA sought to conduct this study to define and quantify what Caribbean accommodation establishments spend yearly supporting the economic well-being of workers, local entrepreneurs, professionals, service providers, other economic sectors, and even government’s revenues that finance the running of the country. In so doing, CHA sought to reveal the possible opportunities for accelerating each country’s social and economic development, as well as the potential dangers of certain policies.  Released in March 2007.  Available online (downloadable PDF).

Study: Taxation and Operating Costs for the Caribbean Hotel Sector

Undertaken under the Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Programme (CRSTDP) by PA Consulting Group, as part of technical assistance provided to CHA with funding from the 8th European Development Fund (EDF).  The study looked at the competitiveness of hotels in the Caribbean, in relation to their operating costs, taxation levels, and other non-cost barriers that negatively impact the tourism sector - focusing on four sample destinations: Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and St. Lucia.  Released in September 2007.  Available online (downloadable PDF)

Position Paper: The views of the Caribbean Hotel Association on the CRNM report on "Tourism Services Negotiations-Implications for CARIFORUM."
The Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM) undertook an extensive fact-finding exercise with stakeholders at all levels of the hospitality industry during the second quarter of 2003, in order to identify the most important issues that must be addressed. The resulting report led to the development of an official tourism private sector position to help Caribbean governments and their negotiators to develop a common regional approach. CHA has presented its position to all stakeholders, including the CRNM, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, CARICOM, the national hotel associations, and government officials. It is expected that it will allow Caribbean negotiators to have a clear understanding of the significance of the tourism industry to the region and the challenges it faces, and factor it all in their trade negotiations on behalf of the Caribbean.  Available online (downloadable PDF).

CHA-CTO Position paper on global climate change and the Caribbean tourism industry. 

Presented in March 2007. Key players from the UK tourism industry had the opportunity to exchange views on climate change with CHA, its environmental division the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) at a meeting held in London.  The encounter, organized by the Caribbean Council for CHA and CTO, enabled representatives from tour operators, airlines, travel associations, and government officials to exchange views on how best the industry in the Caribbean might develop jointly a carbon-neutral approach.  Available online (downloadable PDF).

Position of the Caribbean Hotel Association on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) - October 2004. Available online (downloadable PDF)