Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/722202
This year's Taste of the Caribbean competition is shaping up to be a fierce battle among 12 of the region's premier culinary teams vying for top honors in Caribbean cuisine and beverage preparation and presen- tation. Taste of the Caribbean brings together food and beverage special- ists to share, learn and network about the latest techniques and trends impacting the industry. The event, staged by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), will take place at the Hyatt Regency Miami, June 6-10, 2016. During a series of competitions, chefs and bartenders from participat- ing countries will present a variety of Caribbean entrees and cocktails as they contend for top honors including: Caribbean Culinary Team of the Year, Caribbean Chef of the Year, Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year, CARIBBEAN CORNER B M & T ••• May/June 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 16 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the region's largest and most signif- icant marketing forum, will return to The Bahamas for the second consec- utive year when the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA stages the event from Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, 2017 at Atlantis, Paradise Island. In addition to CHTA, Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2017 will be organized with the support of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), Paradise Island Tourism Development Association (PITDA) and The Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA). "We are delighted to announce that next year CHTA's Caribbean Travel Marketplace will once again be hosted here on our beloved Islands of The Bahamas. We look forward to welcoming back those delegates who joined us this year as well as inviting new travel partners to enjoy our hospitality and see firsthand the exciting new products and experiences which The Bahamas and the Ca ribbean offer," said Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. "The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association welcomes the oppor- tunity to co-host Caribbean Travel Marketplace along with our partners at the Ministry of Tourism, NPIPB and PITDA. Marketplace is an invaluable forum for showcasing the incredible range of hotel and tourism-related offerings available in The Bahamas and through out the Caribbean. Atlantis is the ideal host property for this event, providing one location for the more than 1,000 attendees to meet, network, and enjoy themselves. We will be offering attendees the opportunity to discover The Bahamas through pre- and post-trips to our Family Islands, Grand Bahama and to several new properties just completed or under development in Nassau and on Paradise Island," sai d BHTA President Stuart Bowe. CHTA will be adding several new components to the event aimed at attracting even more buyers and suppliers. "With the support of The Islands of The Bahamas, we are enhancing the scope and impact of Caribbean Travel Marketplace, attracting new delegates and building upon the successful sales and marketing profession- al development sessions offered earlier this year," said Karolin Troubetzkoy, president of CHTA. "Caribbean Travel Marketplace pres- ents the best opportunity to generate last-minute seasonal business while setting the state for long-term business and enhancing the relationship between hoteliers and buyer companies," she added. Caribbean Travel Marketplace affords tourism suppliers the vital opportunity to meet face-to-face with wholesalers from around the world selling Caribbean vacation packages over the course of two days of busi- ness meetings. CHTA hopes to build on its success from 2016 by expand- ing its outreach to wholesalers in Latin America and emerging destinations as well as tour operators specializing in niche markets. As a result of the concerted efforts made by CHTA, Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2016 attracted 19 new buyer companies, bring ing the total to 109 companies. In addition to the buyers, there were 243 suppliers and over 1,000 delegates in attendance at Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2016. CHTA will offer a full day of professional development opportunities for attendees on Jan. 31, 2017, followed by the Opening Ceremonies in the evening. The educational sessions will provide attendees with the tools for developing revenue-generat ing opportunities that will help them make money and cut costs. Companies interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities should contact Matt Cooper, chief marketing officer, via matt@caribbean - hotelandtourism.com or call (305) 443-3040. Contact CHTA by email at events@caribbeanhoteland-tourism.com or telephone (786) 476-8623 for more information. CARIBBEAN TRAVEL MARKETPLACE RETURNS TO THE BAHAMAS, JAN. 31 - FEB. 2, 2017 CARIBBEAN CUISINE TAKES CENTER STAGE WHEN 12 TEAMS COMPETE FOR TOP HONORS AT TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN Culinary Professionals to Share Latest Industry Trends With Their Peers (l-r) Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism, Islands of The Bahamas; Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and Frank Comito, CEO and Director General, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, CHTA