Following an October government change that included the appointment of a new prime minister less than one year after St. Maarten voters had elected a new government, St. Maarten hotelier Emil Lee has been named the country’s minister of labor, health and social affairs.

Emil Lee has resigned as president of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) to accept the position of minister of labor, health and social affairs for St. Maarten, according to a statement from the association.

CTO and CHTA have produced the first Caribbean Tourism and Hospitality Investment Guide targeted at international investors.

President of the Caribbean Hotels and Tourist Association (CHTA), Emile Lee, said Caribbean governments cannot hope to sustain their tourism industries without transparency.

Tourism continues to grow as a powerful force for transforming people and societies according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) which is calling for a renewed focus on the importance of tourism as it commemorates World Tourism Day.

CHTA's inaugural Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) has drawn attention of innovative hoteliers from across the region.