Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/29859
ENHANCING THE TOURISM PRODUCT IN THE CARIBBEAN CONFERENCE REPORT CARIBBEAN MARKETPLACE-MONTEGO BAY BY BRIENNE HERBERT The Carib b e a n Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Marketplace was held recently in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This historic Marketplace was the first event to take place in the newly constructed Montego Bay Convention Centre January 16-18. CHTA, together with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Digicel, Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA), Mastercard and Virgin Holidays, truly put on an event to remember. Located in Rose Hall, the Montego Bay Convention Center http://- www.visitjamaica.com/ is a state-of-the- art facilitywith 52,213 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 20,925 sq. ft. of banquet space and 11,334 sq. ft. of meeting rooms. Situated in close proximity to five major hotels, and only a short 15-minute ride to the Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, the Montego Bay Convention Centre is now one if the most highly cov- eted meeting spaces in the Caribbean. Representing the entire spectrum of the hospitality industry’s private sector in Caribbean, CHTA http://www.carib- beanhotelassociation.com has been build- ing sustainable partnerships since 1962. With over 850 current hotel members, and more than 600 allied members, the CHTA has become the voice of the Caribbean’s hospitality industry. During the 2011 Marketplace, members and conference attendees were able to attend press conferences, meet with hoteliers/- 18 destination officials, and obtain valuable breaking news information on Caribbean hospitality business. Specific initiatives included building advocacy between the government and the hospitality industry, recognizing the importance of tourist demand, and supporting local Caribbean products and small businesses. The 2011 Caribbean Marketplace was particularly groundbreaking with the presence of a record setting nine Ministers from Caribbean Islands, more than any other Marketplace in the history of the event! Playing a crucial role in the execution of the 2011 Marketplace, the JHTA http://www.jhta.org/ celebrated the kick off of its 50th Anniversary campaign. The Marketplace featured this milestone through a focus of looking toward the future, with the theme of “Reaching Out” and a strong emphasis on sustainability. The JHTA takes great pride in its contribu- tions to the development of the tourism industry in Jamaica through solid advoca- cy, marketing support, building aware- ness of the importance of tourism, and stimulating cooperation and goodwill between members and the institutions that support them. Building valuable relationships between the airlines that serve the Caribbean and its islands was a highlight of the 2011 Marketplace. Expanding the opportunities for Caribbean travel from the United States, Europe and Canada, in addition to increasing the number of flights between islands are a key aspect of Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com building the Caribbean tourism industry. Cape Air http://www.flycapeair.com has added a new island destination in the Caribbean with two daily flights between Anguilla and San Juan, Puerto Rico. This new route will only add value to the exist- ing service between San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Tortola, Vieques, Mayaguez, and Ponce. Air Jamaica and Caribbean airlines have recently joined together in one airline to serve Jamaica and the Caribbean. Air Jamaica http://www.airjamaica.com/ will fly routes into and out of Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica to New York (JFK), Toronto, Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale and Miami in North America and Nassau, The Bahamas.