Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference Ends in Trinidad

The 12th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC) concluded with a very optimistic outlook for the Caribbean region as a record-breaking 522 delegates met at the newly opened Hyatt Regency Trinidad May 6-8 and heard that there is currently more than $100 billion in investment in the region (according to the World Travel & Tourism Council) devoted to improving and expanding tourism facilities and infrastructure.

The recent downturn in the U.S. economy is not impacting the interest in the Caribbean,” said Alec Sanguinetti, Director General and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). “As a matter of fact, our Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference drew a record-breaking 522 delegates, up from 404 a year ago,” he said.

Combining the growth of the progressive Greening of the hospitality and tourism industry with the capital investment in the region, Sanguinetti concluded that “CHA sees a high level of confidence and discipline in the marketplace that reaffirms the strength of the region as the leading warm weather vacation destination.”

“Despite the prevailing economic outlook around the world where gas prices are going into stratospheric realms, followed by rising food prices and other commodities, the huge record number of attendees for our 12th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference speaks volumes about the vibrant opportunities here in our region,” Peter Odle, president of CHA and owner and managing director of Mango Bay in Barbados told delegates.

CHTIC attracted a wide variety of interested parties including new hotel and real estate developers, banks and other lenders, brand hotels, cruise lines, airlines, and tour operators that are now promoting and selling the region to travel agents and consumers worldwide.

The CHA Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented at the conference posthumously to William “Bill” Bissell and will henceforth be known as the CHA Bill Bissell Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of one of the industry’s hardest working volunteers.