The Caribbean Innkeeper - Small Hotel Resource Information Centre

The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) represents the regional tourism private sector, and has more than 1000 members. The business of the CHA is to represent the industry in various regional and international venues and to deliver programs to its members. It is been in business a long time and offers a variety of programs for the hotelier.

The majority of small hotels in the OAS project (in 14 member countries in the region) are not members of CHA. Notwithstanding this situation, there are many useful programs small hotels could consider to benefit their property. One of the key themes of the OAS Small Hotels project is to foster cooperation and responsiveness to the small hoteliers needs. By working with all organizations we can achieve this. Indeed we are thankful to the CHA for providing use of their small hotels operator manual and supplier database for this site. Brief descriptions of some of the CHA programs are listed below. Also see their web site at www.caribbeanhotels.org

UPCOMING CHA EVENTS

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (April 1-3, 2003 / The Fairmont Southampton Hotel, Bermuda) is a private / public sector initiative to position the Caribbean as a prime investment opportunity. Its purpose is to highlight the attractive business and investment opportunities available in the Caribbean to upgrade and increase hotel and tourism facilities and services.

CHIC, the Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference (June 22-25, 2003 / Punta Cana, Dominican Republic) offers its hotel and allied members a forum for the exchange of information and ideas, for the conduct of Association business and for networking.

The Small Hotels Retreat is a custom-designed conference within the CHIC event that addresses the specific needs and concerns of the small hotel sector, properties with 75 rooms or less, which represent two thirds of CHA’s hotel membership. . In 2002, Small Hotels Retreat was successfully incorporated into CHIC 2002, combining the intimate atmosphere of camaraderie of Retreat with the impressive lineup of international speakers featured at CHIC.

Taste of the Caribbean 2003 (October 3-6, 2003 / Montego Bay, Jamaica). This is the premier food and wine festival in the region, combining demonstrations, tastings, seminars and workshops led by world-renowned experts. Expand your horizons and improve your culinary skills. Not just for professional chefs and cooks, ‘A Taste of the Caribbean’ is a gastronomic event for those that appreciate good cuisine, good wine, and even a good cigar. Held annually.