From Bevan Springer, Market Place Excellence Corporation

CHTA President Sanovnik Destang

Sanovnik Destang, a respected hotelier from St. Lucia, has taken over as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). His election was confirmed at CHTA’s Annual General Meeting last week.

Destang, who brings extensive hospitality experience to the role, plans to focus on people, technology, and strengthening ties with other sectors of the Caribbean economy. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized the importance of collaborative leadership.

Outgoing President Nicola Madden-Greig reflected on CHTA’s achievements during her tenure, highlighting the Caribbean’s resilience in becoming the fastest-recovering tourism market post-COVID-19. She praised the implementation of recovery measures, such as the Caribbean entry portal requirements and the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism program.

The newly elected CHTA slate of officers follows:

• 1st Vice President: Karen Whitt, The Hartling Group, Turks & Caicos  
• 2nd Vice President: Craig Marshall, Blue Diamond Resorts, Antigua & Barbuda                                     
• 3rd Vice President: Clifton Reader, Palace Resorts, Jamaica                                                   
• 4th Vice President: Kendra Hopkin Stewart, Blue Horizons Garden Resort, Grenada             
• 5th Vice President: Bill Clegg, BW Hotels, At-Large
• Treasurer: Jim Hepple, Tourism Analytics, Aruba

Vanessa Ledesma confirmed as CEO of CHTA

CHTA CEO Vanessa Ledesma

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced the appointment of Vanessa Ledesma as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Outgoing CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig stated that Ledesma, with close to 25 years working with CHTA, “brings to the table passion, loyalty and a wealth of knowledge about Caribbean tourism.”

Madden-Greig added, “It has been my pleasure working with Vanessa over the past three years at a time when CHTA, the region and the world went through extreme hardships. Caribbean tourism is on the rise, and we look forward to Vanessa continuing to lead our Secretariat team to meet the challenges that may lay ahead.”

Ledesma, a Puerto Rico native who has served as Acting CEO and Director General for the past few years, brings a deep understanding of the Caribbean tourism industry and a proven track record of leadership to her new role.

FCCA Platinum Summit sails to success aboard Virgin Voyages

Ahoy, Caribbean! The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Platinum Summit recently concluded aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady. 

The summit, which sailed to Key West and Bimini last week, offered a unique setting for industry leaders to discuss sustainable growth and emerging trends.

With top executives from major cruise lines participating, the conversations were insightful and inspiring. The Caribbean cruise industry is now setting its sights on the next big event:

30th FCCA Annual Conference & Trade Show

• Where: St. Maarten
• When: October 21-25, 2024

This is an opportunity to connect with key players and stay ahead of the curve in the Caribbean cruise industry.

Register today at www.FCCAConference.com.

Hyatt Regency Trinidad seeks Assistant F&B Manager

Hyatt Regency Trinidad is hiring an Assistant Food and Beverage Director to support the Food and Beverage Division at its Port of Spain location. 

This full-time role involves assisting with the planning and management of both front- and back-of-the-house food and beverage operations. Key responsibilities include budgeting, staff training, overseeing compliance with local regulations, and ensuring the highest standards of guest satisfaction and service. 

This position plays a vital role in managing special events and coordinating with other hotel departments to ensure seamless guest experiences.

The application can be found here: https://careers.hyatt.com/en-US/careers/jobdetails/10780/POR002010.

CTO celebrates World Tourism Day with a virtual forum

The Caribbean tourism industry is gearing up to celebrate World Tourism Day 2024 with a focus on “Resilience and Renewal: Building a Peaceful Future”. On September 27, 2024, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will host a virtual forum to explore innovative ideas for sustainable tourism development in the region.

The event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss how the Caribbean can build a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector that benefits both visitors and local communities.

The virtual forum is free to attend and will feature a variety of keynote speakers and panel discussions. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in sustainable tourism, share their own experiences, and network with other industry professionals.

To join the conversation and help shape the future of Caribbean tourism, register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zXQ7Wlp7TmeJbrJFVoeiNg#/registration.

Quotable Caribbean

“Peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it is harmony, acceptance, and mutual understanding. Jamaica’s tourism industry is not only a pillar of economic growth but also a force for global peace. By fostering the free flow of people and ideas across borders, tourism builds bridges of understanding and acceptance.” – Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

Medical Moment

The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) takes place on October 1, 2024. 

There are currently around 962 million people worldwide who are over the age of 60, and this number is projected to surpass two billion by 2050. The rapid increase in the aging population highlights the importance of promoting health and addressing illnesses throughout life.

IDOP aims to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities associated with aging populations globally. This year’s theme, “The Part We Play,” celebrates the vital contributions older adults make to our communities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been instrumental in raising awareness about this day, focusing on discussions around providing adequate health care, social support, and volunteer opportunities for the elderly.

Creating supportive environments is important in helping the older generation stay active and independent as they age.

Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) is a global public relations, marketing and media company.

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