A call for a collective approach

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Caribbean tourism industry leaders must work together in order to ensure sustainable growth in the region, according to Choice Hotels International, Inc. executive Bill Clegg.

Referencing data from Smith Travel Research, which indicates that Caribbean hotels and tourism businesses are performing unprecedentedly well this year, Clegg called for the development of collective strategy to carry the momentum.

Clegg is the regional vice president of Franchise Services and Programs for Choice Hotels International, Inc.

“To ensure that this upward trend continues, now is the time for hospitality and tourism stakeholders to come together,” he said. “The data suggests that the recovery has been progressing steadily since 2009, we want to continue to sustain that.”

He called for support for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), a three-day event in October which offers opportunities for education, networking, and the sharing of the Caribbean’s best practices.

Clegg praised CHTA for its effectiveness in industry support for the region and for the forum it provides for regional marketing development and the sharing of strategies.

CHIEF takes on an interactive trade show format, designed to provide participants and exhibitors the opportunity to interact through live demonstrations.