From Pirates to Hoteliers

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2012 and will host a Golden Jubilee Gala on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 7 pm in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The formal event will feature a gathering of many of the individuals who have led the hospitality and tourism industry over the past 50 years along with the unveiling of From Pirates to Hoteliers, a glossy, 200-page coffee-table quality book that commemorates the history of Caribbean tourism.

"CHTA's Golden Jubilee marks an historic occasion in the Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry," said Josef Forstmayr, president of CHTA. "Our region and economies have thrived over the past 50 years as a direct result of the growth in Caribbean tourism."

For the Golden Jubilee Gala, CHTA is bringing together the pioneers of the Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry, many who are now enjoying their retirement years. All past and present hoteliers, tourism officials and hotel association executives are expected to participate in the festivities making the event a historic gathering of those who shape the region's most vital industry.

Complete details about the Golden Jubilee Gala will be announced in December. Individuals looking to attend the event can contact Iliana Colon, CHTA Conferences and Events, 305-443-3040 ext. 116 or email: [email protected].

CHTA commissioned HCP/Aboard Publishing, Custom Publishing Division of The Miami Herald Media Company to write and print From Pirates to Hoteliers. The book will be created in a hardcover coffee table format and will depict the vivid and illustrious history of the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry, its impact on all aspects of life in the region and its place in the world as an association at the forefront of tourism leadership.

Historic images chronicling key events in Caribbean history will accompany stories dating from the earliest visitors to the region - from the colonial era to the famous "pirates of the Caribbean" - to the first tourists to the region, the rise of tourism after the Cuban revolution, and the formation of the CHTA.

Beautifully written with an introduction by the CHTA President, From Pirates to Hoteliers brings to life some of the most significant events, places, people, programs, and traditions that are all part of the Caribbean experience. It is a celebration of an industry that has played a key role in the development of the region and will continue to do so far into the future.

David Jessop, Executive Director of the Caribbean Council for Europe, and a renowned author, will write several chapters for the book setting some of the historic sequences in perspective.

Any company or individuals who would like to help "make history" for Caribbean or would like to know more about the project, please contact Garry Duell Jr. at 305-376-2686 or via email at [email protected] .

Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) is a federation of 32 National Hotel Associations, with more

than 600 member hotels and over 300 allied members. CHTA is the largest representative of the private sector in the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry. We are the voice of the Caribbean hospitality industry for the development of the region in the highly competitive and sophisticated environment of international tourism. Today, tourism is widely recognized as a pivotal industry in the economy of the region - and CHTA functions as the common denominator for this industry in a region of diverse nationalities, languages and styles, identifying mutual problems and marshaling the resources of the active and allied members to devise solutions. CHTA represents all facets of the hospitality industry with more than 600 member hotels and over 300 allied members.CHTA, including the events staged by the association, is supported by Strategic Partners AskMe Inc., Clear Channel Airport Division, HVS, Interval International, JetBlue Getaways, MasterCard, OBM International, Tambourine and Travelzoo. For more information, visit http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.

Theresa M. Oakes
CHTA