The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) is reporting that registration for the 30th Anniversary of Caribbean Marketplace is experiencing a 48% increase versus the same time one year ago when there were 14 weeks until the event. To date, there are 343 delegates representing 153 companies already registered for Caribbean Marketplace.
In addition to major hotel investors and government officials, the opening panel is scheduled to include Pedro Fabregas, President and Chief Operating Officer of American Airlines/Eagle and Chad Meyerson, Global Director of Sales of JetBlue Airways. Regional government leaders will also participate in CHICOS 2011; The Prime Minister of Aruba, the Honorable Michiel Eman and the Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, the Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace will both speak on separate panels during the opening day of the conference.
Salamander Hotels & Resorts has been selected to manage Sanctuary Cap Cana, with the goal of making the luxurious Dominican Republic oceanfront resort an American Automobile Association (AAA) Five Diamond award winner. Effective immediately, the Virginia-based company will manage the magnificent 176-suite oceanfront resort, and adds the property to its exclusive Grand Resorts of Cap Cana collection, which already includes nearby sister properties Fishing Lodge and Ocean Club.
The resort will be the first Autograph Collection hotel in the Caribbean and Marriott International's first property in the British Virgin Islands. Launched last year, the Autograph Collection is a group of exceptional independent hotels, each hand-selected for their originality, character and uncommon details. To date, Autograph Collection portfolio includes more than 20 properties in the United States and Europe and this number should double by the end of the year.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. and Dorado Beach Resort announce the grand return of Dorado Beach – one of the Caribbean's most celebrated destinations – with the introduction of Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. More than 50 years ago, Laurance S. Rockefeller introduced the world to the 'luxury island resort' when he opened his eco-friendly RockResorts, including Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico. Today, we are pleased to announce that the exquisite Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a 115-key oceanfront hotel and residences, will be the centerpiece of the renovation of the Dorado Beach Resort set to open in December 2012.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN), today welcomed its first Wyndham Garden® property in Puerto Rico, the 107-room Wyndham Garden at Palmas del Mar in Humacao, expanding its Caribbean portfolio of hotels. The hotel opens as the second Wyndham® property on the island, joining Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, A Wyndham Grand® Resort in Rio Grande.
The Yéle Haiti Foundation, an established leader in recovery efforts in Haiti, announced the formation of a new alliance to launch a trailblazing pilot hospitality vocational training initiative in one of the country's key port cities. Working with HVS, the leading global hospitality consulting and services firm, the program will infuse up to 120 area residents with core skills. The intent is to educate current and aspiring hotel employees and accelerate self-sufficiency, economic development, and job creation. Yéle Haiti's new program will debut in September 2011 in Jacmel, one of Haiti's renowned tourist and resort destinations, which suffered severe damage after the earthquake.
Steve Rushmore, president and founder of HVS, the leading global hospitality services and consulting firm, and HVS Bahamas Managing Director Parris Jordan, are pleased to announce the 1st Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS), that will focus on this region's hotel development and operations issues, as well as current financing initiatives. Scheduled for November 10-11, 2011 at the famed Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, CHICOS is designed to bring global investors and operators together with local Caribbean decision-makers to address the opportunities and challenges faced in the region. CHICOS will provide opportunities to share views, insights, and proposed strategies for advancing the hospitality and tourism sectors in the Caribbean from 2011 and beyond.
Continuing its high-powered global expansion, fast-growing Four Points by Sheraton will debut in the Dominican Republic next winter, parent Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today.
"Consumers everywhere are asking 'WTF?' While other hotels are charging a mandatory daily fee for amenities such as Wi-Fi, in-room coffee and use of the in-room safe, Aqua lets you save money with no hidden amenity fees," said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua's VP Sales & Marketing.
"We're very happy to add Tucker's Point to the Rosewood collection," said Rosewood CEO John Scott. "Bermuda is a destination we've been enamored with for a long time and when the opportunity was presented to us, we immediately saw the fit with Rosewood and the immense potential with the property."
On the heels of a successful Caribbean Marketplace event in Jamaica, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) returns to the brand new Montego Bay Convention Centre in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from May 10-12, 2011, to stage the 15th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC).
Hard Rock International makes a splash in the Caribbean and rolls out the red carpet to celebrate the grand opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic on Jan. 29, 2011. The lush, 121-acre property located on Macao Beach is Hard Rock’s first all-inclusive Hotel & Casino and marks the brand’s debut in the Caribbean.
On completion the Jumeirah Anguilla Resort project will consist of a 140-room Jumeirah luxury hotel with a spacious spa, conference facilities and beach clubs, as well as 460 residential units, which will also be managed by Jumeirah. Renowned golfer Jack Nicklaus has designed a championship 18-hole "Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course" for the Jumeirah Anguilla Resort. His Signature Course runs along a magnificent stretch of oceanfront property with several holes playing to or along the water. The course offers spectacular views across the sea to the beautiful peaks of St. Maarten. Situated on 370 acres of beachfront and beach view on the south side of Anguilla, the Jumeirah Anguilla Resort has been designed to express Jumeirah's global brand promise to STAY DIFFERENT with imaginative architecture, exhilarating ocean views, thoughtful and generous service and a commitment to creating memorable, culturally relevant experiences for its guests. It is expected that the resort will open in the next 3 years.
Boasting an innovative Club House and Entertainment District unlike any other, in addition to a variety of suites to accommodate families and singles alike, the Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe has opened the doors to it’s all-new, all inclusive mega resort.
Viceroy Anguilla today announced that Starwood Capital Group has completed the purchase of the loan originally made to the developer of the property, Barnes Bay Development. Viceroy Hotel Group will continue to manage and operate the property as Viceroy Anguilla.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) is gearing up for the November opening of The St. Regis Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico, the island’s first luxury project since 1997. Underscoring the recovery in luxury hospitality, the $172 million resort is nearly sold out for the December holidays. This month, Starwood President and CEO Frits van Paasschen met with Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño, as well as owners and developers, to discuss future Starwood development in this key Caribbean market.
Owned by Ocean Chimo, the Wyndham Kingston Jamaica will undergo extensive renovations of the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms to further enhance the guest experience and meet Wyndham standards. The hotel will be managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
The International Convention of Tourist Studies will be held in Havana, Cuba from July 12 to 16, 2010. Cuba is becoming a prime destination in the Caribbean with 2.4 million visitors last year. Specialists in travel and tourism from all countries but the US can choose to attend as they would any other professional gathering. American participation is hampered by regulations seeking to forbid Cuban organized academic conferences. The rules were promulgated in 2004 by the Bush Administration for reasons of domestic politics and have not yet been modified by President Obama.
W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, has unveiled W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, the W brand’s 37th hotel globally and its first retreat within North America. Owned by REIG CAPITAL, through its affiliate Vieques Hotel Partners, W Vieques is located only eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico and opens as the second W Retreat in the world, following the successful opening of W Retreat & Spa – Maldives in 2006. As W Hotels continues its transformation into a global powerhouse, on track to expand its portfolio to more than 50 hotels by the end of 2011, W is slated to open nine new hotels this year, including two retreat properties in Bali and Koh Samui, Thailand.