Highlighting strong and growing interest in its portfolio of upscale brands in theCaribbean, Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company, today announced plans for further global expansion with the development of the 450- room Sam Lord's Castle Barbados, A Wyndham Grand Resort.
Cuba: Opportunity or Threat? was the final General Session at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) in Puerto Rico over the weekend and the general consensus appeared to be cautious optimism based on expectations of diversion of visitors from other countries, but overall a chance to highlight the diversity of the culture of the region. There was also concurrence that the entire Caribbean can shine as the spotlight falls on Cuba, exposing more potential travelers to the rich diversity and culture of the region.
The just completed successful Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) taking place in Puerto Rico has emerged as a milestone setting the tone for a new era for the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), according the CHTA President Emil Lee.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) presented the "Caribbean Hotelier of the Year" award to Adam Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Sandals Resorts International, during the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which took place Oct. 2 - 4, 2015 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico.
One of the most highly anticipated panels of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association's (CHTA) upcoming Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) is "Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" which will take place on the closing day of the conference (Sunday, Oct. 4) from 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m."Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" will delve into how the US-Cuba normalization affects Caribbean business and how hotels can minimize any potential downside impact. Additionally, it will explore the positive opportunities Cuba may present to stimulate the region's growth as a whole.This highly-anticipated session - expected to be standing-room only - will be moderated by Anton Edmunds, Principal, The Edmunds Group International, and will feature the following panelists:
Paradise Beach Nevis A sophisticated seven-villa resort, has opened on the Caribbean island of Nevis, providing a chic and discreet beachfront retreat for couples, families and groups of friends. The privately owned property offers beachfront villas in Nevis, with stays starting from $850 per night for four adults including concierge and butler services.
Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, the award-winning resort nestled just off the coast of Antigua, today announces the official opening of the Beach Shack. The resort's newest culinary experience offers guests an authentic Antiguan food experience in a casual and relaxed atmosphere, directly on the sands of Jumby Bay Beach. Inspired by colorful West Indian style food shacks found in small villages throughout Antigua,the Beach Shack offers delicious local street-style food such as lobster and chicken wraps and rotis and locally caught fish ceviche.
THE CARIBBEAN - The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association's (CHTA) inaugural Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) has drawn attention of innovative hoteliers from across the region as well as top speakers from a variety of industry segments. This long-needed networking and educational conference will take place Oct. 2-4 in Puerto Rico.
Questex Travel Group has announced that next year's Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE) will be held Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at the Hilton Barbados Resort, hosted by the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and supported by Sunlinc, a leading Caribbean destination management company.
Questex Travel Group's sixth-annual Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE) event kicked off today at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, the event's first time in the country.
Although the U.S. embargo remains in effect, the resumption of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba opens the possibility of a vast expansion of the island's hospitality and tourism businesses. At the same time, Cuba remains an opaque nation tightly run by its central government. Those contradictions are explored in a new report from the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) at Cornell University, "Cuba's Future Hospitality and Tourism Business: Opportunities and Obstacles." Posted on the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration website, the report is available from the CHR at no charge.
Haiti officially welcomed The Marriott Port-au-Prince during an event that celebrated Haiti, its culture and local artisans whose artwork adds beauty throughout the hotel. Some of the artisans works will be curated by Donna Karan, fashion designer, and her UrbanZen Foundation, which seeks to help communities preserve their unique cultural and spiritual values through their creativity and craft.
For far too long the Caribbean has taken tourism for granted according to a white paper issued by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) entitled Cuba: The Great Disruption for the Good of the Caribbean. The paper states that the country that many regard as the least capitalistic in the region is about to teach its neighbor governments, capitalists and free market adherents a lesson.
Ruthanne Terrero, vice president of content and editorial director of Questex Travel Group, this week received the Marcia Vickery-Wallace Memorial Award for Excellence in Travel Journalism for her editorial coverage of Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Luxury hotel and resort operator AlSol Hotels & Resorts will open AlSol Tiara Cap Cana on Monday, June 1, adding a contemporary and chic marina oasis to its portfolio. The hip, new boutique hotel welcomes multi-generational travelers to its social and warm atmosphere situated at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic affectionately known as the "Jewel of Punta Cana."
On the occasion of the French President's visit to Cuba, Accor announces the signature of a management contract with Gran Caribe (Ministry of Tourism) for the Pullman Cayo Coco hotel in Cuba. This 518-room hotel-resort (including 40 suites), will offer upscale services and will notably be the first establishment on the island offering Wi-Fi in all its rooms. The Pullman Cayo Coco is located just 10 minutes from the international airport and boasts a vast sea front (over 500 meters) on the beautiful "Las Coloradas" beach. The Pullman Cayo Coco will open in November 2015.
During the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami last week, Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Caribbean-based Sterling Developments to build an Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel on the island of St. Kitts & Nevis, making it the first Hilton property in the territory. The 226-suite hotel is currently under construction and plans to open its doors in Q1 2017.
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and Burba Hotel Network (BHN) presented Christal Stubbs with the 2015 Rising Star Award Caribbean at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS). As the Human Resources Director of the British Colonial Hilton Nassau, Stubbs has proven to be a dedicated and invaluable asset to the success of the hotel as well as an extremely effective leader within the Bahamian tourism industry. Stubbs works in a very competitive marketplace in Nassau and is responsible for recruiting, training, compliance, employee development and other vital duties, her management of which have earned her respect from peers and managers alike.
The 2015 HOLA (Hotel Opportunities Latin America) Conference took place April 28-30 at the J.W. Marriott Marquis Hotel in Miami. The conference projected a focus on occupancy in Central America since supply has been outpacing demand since mid-2012. An emphasis on this current strategy to attract demand is critical to support further hospitality development in Central America. Plenary sessions, however exuded enthusiasm and optimism. Here is just a handful of the critical "takeaways" from last week's HOLA event:
Ocean by H10 Hotels - H10 Hotels Caribbean Division - has announced the expansion of its presence in Cuba and the Caribbean, by adding two new resorts which will be opening later this year. In addition to the existing Ocean Varadero El Patriarca, all inclusive resort located on Cuba's famed Varadero Beach, the new all inclusive resorts Ocean Casa del Mar and Ocean Vista Azul will be opening by end of 2015 in Cuba.