A fresh start for U.S. hotel brands in Cuba?
Behind the colonial facades of Havana's historic hotels, times are changing as Cuba and the United States start to rebuild their fractured relationship.
Press Releases
Caribbean Maverick Adam Stewart to keynote State of the Industry Conference
The leader of one of the world's leading resort companies will outline a vision for Caribbean tourism as he sets the tone for the region's most important tourism gatherings, the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC).The chief executive officer of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart, will deliver the keynote address at the Sept. 14-16 event in Barbados, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Barbados' minister of tourism and international transport Richard Sealy announced this morning (watch the press briefing).
Increasing Hotel Sales, Reducing Operational Costs, Innovation And Sustainability Key Themes At This Year's Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF)
Caribbean hotel owners and managers, along with leading providers of goods and services to the hotel industry, will gather early this fall for the highly successful Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum, being conducted by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA). Owners and seniors managers from the region's hotels will have the opportunity to network and share best practices through a series of roundtables, workshops, professional development sessions, and social networking opportunities throughout the regional gathering.CHIEF is scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2016 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico."CHIEF is all about learning from one another and improving our bottom lines. In a competitive global tourism landscape, we need to leverage our resources and our thinking. We want to build upon the incredibly positive feedback we received from last year's event and bring even greater value through CHIEF to the region's hotels as well as those allied members who provide hotels with goods and services." says Karolin Troubetzkoy, president of CHTA.CHTA canvased last year's attendees and its members to identify those session topics which are of greatest interest to its members. Among the general sessions being offered are:
Sustainable Development and Smart Partnerships Key To Growing Caribbean Brand" Assert Cuban and CHTA Officials
The President of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), Karolin Troubetzkoy, joined by several members of CHTA's executive committee and prominent regional hoteliers, visited Cuba for meetings with Cuban and international officials during the UNWTO and FITCuba events held in Havana between May 2-6.
Caribbean Hoteliers Up Their Game Through Chief; Registration Now Open For Fall Forum Slated Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 In Puerto Rico
Following the success of the inauguralCaribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) in October 2015, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has scheduled CHIEF to return to El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2016. Registration opens May 19, 2016.CHIEF brings together owners and senior managers from Caribbean hotels with top experts from companies which work with hoteliers to exchange ideas and share best practices.This year's program will expand its educational offerings by incorporating a Technology track in addition to sessions in Operations, Environmental Sustainability and Sales & Marketing. The educational tracks, led by experts in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, provide CHTA's membership with tactics that generate revenue and increase efficiency. Another program highlight is the professional development opportunities offered on Friday, Sept. 30 similar to the sessions offered in 2015 by Florida International University (FIU). "CHIEF provides a platform for Caribbean hoteliers and employees to develop strategies that will enhance their business model and result in a more efficient and profitable operation," said Karolin Troubetzkoy, president of CHTA. "We are developing a comprehensive program that will reflect core elements that our membership need in order to stay ahead of the curve with the goal of providing tools which employees at all levels in the tourism industry can implement when they return home to their property," Troubetzkoy added. "We're incorporating peer-to-peer opportunities for our members and their employees to consider, share and adapt successful business models that drive incremental business and revenue," said Troubetzkoy. Registration for CHIEF opened on May 19, 2016 and includes access to the event, all educational sessions, conference materials, two lunches, coffee breaks and two receptions. Visit www.chtachief.com to learn more about CHIEF and take advantage of early registration and discounted hotel rates. Companies which conduct business with hoteliers can also exhibit at the event with complete details available on the website. CHIEF is staged by CHTA in conjunction with host sponsors Interval International and JetBlue Getaways, platinum sponsor Travelzoo, and gold sponsorsAskMe Inc., Clear Channel Airport Division, OBM International and SiteMinder.Companies interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities should contact Matt Cooper, chief marketing officer, via [email protected] call (305) 443-3040.Contact CHTA by email at [email protected] or via telephone at 786-476-8623 for more information.
Engage Cuba Welcomes American Hotel & Lodging Association To Coalition
Today, Engage Cuba, the leading coalition of private companies and organizations working to end the travel and trade embargo on Cuba, announced a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the only national association representing the full breadth of the U.S. lodging industry.
Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2016 Expands Outreach To Latin America, Emerging Destinations & Niche Markets
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is raising the global profile of Caribbean Travel Marketplace providing opportunities for hoteliers attending the event to find new contacts and sources of business. CHTA is targeting wholesalers in Latin America and emerging destinations as well as tour operators specializing in niche markets. Caribbean Travel Marketplace is scheduled Jan. 21-23, 2016 at the Atlantis, Paradise Island in The Bahamas. Building upon the existing and longstanding portfolio of global operators conducting business in the Caribbean, CHTA is focusing on securing the participation of Latin American tour operators in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Peru and Venezuela and emerging destinations Russia, India, Scandinavia, Ukraine and the Middle East. With the growth and importance of the niche travel segments to its membership, CHTA is inviting niche tour operators to attend Caribbean Travel Marketplace. CHTA is working with National Hotel and Tourism Associations across the Caribbean to identify and attract tour operator representatives from top niche markets for the region. "We look forward to bringing Caribbean Travel Marketplace back to The Bahamas in 2016 as an event that will expand the Caribbean brand globally with the introduction of new tour operators to our region's diverse hospitality product," said Emil Lee, President of CHTA.
Cuba Getting U.S. Visitors Continues To Be Focus At Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum
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.
Chta's 'chief' To Explore Cuba Impact On Caribbean Tourism; Taps Industry Experts For Insight
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:
Caribbean Resort Owners, Managers Queue Up For Chta's Hotel Idea Exchange Forum Oct. 2-4
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 Announces 2016 CMITE Event Will Be Held in Barbados
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.
Sell-Out CMITE Event Kicks Off at New Venue in Punta Cana
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.
Cuba Offers Great Opportunities and Great Obstacles, Says New Cornell Report
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.
2015 Rising Star Award Caribbean honored at CHRIS
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.
Travel Interest to Cuba from the US increases by 180%
Following President Obama's statement on 17th December, hotel searches to Cuba made by US users increased by 180 per cent, according to hotel search website trivago.co.uk. In comparison, searches to Cuba made by UK users increased by 42 per cent over the same period.
World Travel Awards headed to Anguilla for Grand Final 2014
World Travel Awards has revealed it will head to the paradise island of Anguilla in the Caribbean for its annual Grand Final. After touring the globe in search of the world's best hospitality organisations over the past year, World Travel Awards will host the crème de la crème of the industry at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa on Sunday, December 7th.
CHTA Steps Outside The Box With Caribbean Hospitality Industry Education Forum For Hoteliers, Allied Members
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) is taking an outside-the-box approach with the launch of the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Education Forum (CHIEF) by creating an event from the ground-up that covers all crucial aspects of the Caribbean hospitality industry for hotel operators and the allied membership. The inaugural CHIEF conference will take place Oct. 3 - 5, 2014 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico. CHIEF will encompass multiple disciplines and aspects of Caribbean hospitality within an educational and sales setting. Sessions at CHIEF will focus on operations, managing distribution channels, sales & marketing, social media, sustainability and financial efficiency, all of which provide cost-saving measures that increase profitability.
CHTA Celebrates Golden Jubilee with Caribbean Tourism Summit: June 15-16, 2012 in Jamaica
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and to mark the momentous occasion, CHTA, in conjunction with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Jamaica, is hosting a Caribbean Tourism Summit June 15-16, 2012 at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica.
President of the Republic of Haiti to Give Keynote Address at CHRIS
His Excellency Michel Joseph Martelly, the President of the Republic of Haiti, will present the keynote address at the upcoming Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), which will be held May 7-8, 2012, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami hotel in Miami, Florida, USA. CHRIS is hosted by Burba Hotel Network (BHN).
CHTA Caribbean Marketplace Sees 48% Increase In Registration Versus Same Time Last Year
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.