CHTA Chief Emil Lee Selects Clarisa Jimenez, Jose Rivera Campos as Regional Vice Presidents

Emil Lee, president of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), has selected two Caribbean tourism industry professionals who will serve as regional vice presidents during his presidency.  Clarisa Jimenez, president & CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA), will assume the post of regional vice president effective immediately.  

Jose Rivera Campos, vice president of development for AMResorts in Cancun, will continue his service as regional vice president under Lee after first being appointed under Richard Doumeng's presidency in March 2014.

"The future of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is dependent on working with executives from all National Hotel Associations in order to ensure success for all stakeholders," said Lee. "Working with experienced leaders such as Clarisa Jimenez and Jose Rivera in their role as regional vice president will allow us to reach the membership in their destinations as well as leverage their expertise to benefit other NHAs that are still developing," Lee added.

Clarisa Jimenez, president and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, has been appointed regional vice president of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) by Emil Lee, president of CHTA

Jimenez has over 30 years of experience in the tourism industry including 14 years at the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC).  She is responsible for the operation of the 560-member PRHTA where she develops and executes strategic plans to ensure the association's maximum effectiveness.  Jimenez has maintained 90% member retention during her tenure at PRHTA.  She is credited with creating the Tourism Industry Employee Scholarship Fund and Saborea Puerto Rico culinary event, implementing the Six Keys for Top Notch Service Certification and developing the Lifetime Achievement Award for Puerto Rico's culinary industry.

Jimenez has played a strong role in advocacy issues impacting the tourism industry including leading efforts to avoid applying an additional room tax in San Juan as well as opposing execution of a bill to legitimize illegal slot machines in Puerto Rico.  She has also worked towards establishing a Destination Marketing Organization. Jimenez has garnered several honors over her career including recognition by

Rivera serves on the Board of Directors of Asociación de Hoteles de Cancun and Puerto Morelos, where he is the CHTA representative.

As vice president of development for AMResorts, Rivera has served since 2004 as the point person for all development projects and has overseen the construction of eight new properties as well as the refurbishment of four properties and expansion of three resorts.  He also seeks out new growth opportunities for AMResorts.

Previously, Rivera was CEO for Mansion Imperial Acapulco, focusing on the construction of this five-star hotel group.  He also served as CEO for Expo & Convention Center Las Americas, opening the city's first world-class convention center.  Additionally, Rivera was the managing director for Hotel Camino Real Mexico, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, and held top positions as vice president of operations for Westin Hotels in Mexico and Latin America as well as owner's representative for Ritz Carlton Cancun.

Rivera has been a Bailli Honorario de Cancun / Maitre Hotelier since 1979; an international associate of the legendary gastronomic society, Chaîne des Rotisseurs; is a member of Asociación de Escuelas Hoteleras Europas; and the Founder / President of Honorario Vitalico.  During ABASTUR 2013, he was honored with the Key to Progress Award as Hotelier of the Year 2013, bestowed annually by AMAIT Abastecedores Turisticos AC.  Rivera received his Doctorate in Advanced Administration from Colegio de Graduados, Mexico.