ORANJESTAD – Den proximo dianan Parlamento di Aruba lo ta tratando algo sumamente importante y historico pa nos isla, e dos fondonan cu lo contribui grandemente na mehora nos Producto Aruba y na mercadeo di nos isla den exterior.
Pa promer biaha a yega na un acuerdo di cooperacion entre sector publico y priva pa uni esfuerzonan pa mercadea nos isla den exterior y pa mehora nos Producto.
Durante añanan largo hopi a purba pa yega na algun tipo di cooperacion, pero esaki no a logra y awe por bisa cu den apenas algun luna Minister Otmar Oduber a logra e acuerdonan di cooperacion aki cu tanto Aruba Hotel And Tourism Association) y ATSA (Aruba Timeshare Association). Cu otro palabra, mundo hotelero na Aruba ta riba e mesun liña di maneho di Minister Oduber.
E acuerdonan aki ta un refleho di maneho di Gabinete Mike Eman cual ta basa riba e dialogo, cooperacion y transparencia. E tipo di maneho aki a logra habri portanan di cooperacion y awendia por mira cu e relacion entre sector priva y publico a mihor cu nunca.
Pero no ta solamente esey, vision di Minister Otmar Oduber pa cu turismo ta conta cu e sosten di mundo hotelero, nan ta wak con e titular di Turismo ta trahando fuertemente pa hiba nos isla na e lugar cu e merece riba mercado turistico internacional.
Na maart 2010 a firma e MOU cu AHATA pa yega na e Aruba Tourism Marketing Fund (ATMF) y na augustus 2010 a firma cu ATSA e MOU pa yega na e Tourism Product Enhancement Fund (TPEF).
Pa loke ta e fondo di mercadeo, esaki lo significa un cambio grandi den e forma cu lo bay mercadea, pasobra den e MOU no solamente ta papia di un fondo independiza y cu mester desemboca den un ATA independiza pa 1 di januari 2011, pero tambe ta encera e confianza di crea un ‘board’ cu tin cu bay hunto entre AHATA y Gobierno.
Den e structura di esaki lo tin participacion completo, habri y structura entre instancianan priva y publico caminda hunto, usando ATA como e vehiculo, lo mercadea nos pais, teniendo e control y supervision den un fase transitorio, ya cu na momento cu ATA bira independiente esaki lo bay pa e oficina di turismo.
Den cuadro di instalacion di e dos fondonan a mira e necesidad pa adapta e tarifanan di room tax, Parlamento, durante un reunion publico den luna di april, a sostene e cambio aki cu un total di 11 voto na fabor y 6 voto contra. Esaki a encera cu entrante 1 di mei e room tax (impuesto pa camber) a pasa di 6% pa 7.5%, es decir un aumento di 1.5%.
Mester bisa tambe cu den mesun cambio aki a keda aproba cu lo conoce un otro aumento, cual inicialmente tabata entrante 1 di juli 2010, esaki di 2%. Es decir e room tax lo yega na un total di 9.5% y esaki lo drenta na vigor asina cu e wordo trata den Parlamento den e proximo dianan.
Minister di Turismo ta pone tur dia hopi prioridad riba Producto Aruba, mehoracion di dje, diferencia nos mes for di competidornan tanto pa e calidad como pa servicio brinda na Aruba, esaki ta forma parti di su vision pa mehora nos turismo.
A base di e vision aki durante e promer reunion cu e tabatin cu ATSA na december pasa, el a bay presenta e idea, pero promer cu el a logra esaki ya caba esnan di ATSA a bise kico nan idea tabata, cual tabata cuadra totalmente cu loke Gobierno kier a crea. Esey ta cu a yega na aumento di roomtax, pero poniendo atencion na percura pa Producto Aruba y su servicio tambe aumenta.
Asina a conclui cu e 2% cu ta bin for di e propiedadnan cu ta time share na Aruba lo wordo separa den un fondo caminda cu un suma equivalente na tur e simannan cu ta wordo opera bou di timesharing, igual na e 2% lo wordo deposita den un ‘begrotings fonds” special cu lo bay specialmente pa mehora calidad di producto y servicio na Aruba.
Ta trata aki di un suma di alrededor di 4 miyon florin cu lo bay tin den un fondo cu no tabata existi antes. Gobierno hunto cu ATSA lo bay supervisa e distribucion di e placa aki a base di cierto acuerdonan cu tin caminda lo mustra den ki direccion e fondonan aki mester bay.
Asina por mira cu den apenas 9 luna di tempo Minister Otmar Oduber a logra yega na dos fondonan sumamente importante pa Pais Aruba mirando cu industria turistico ta nos pilar economico. Un logro hopi importante cu a wordo logra na un maneho habri di dialogo y cooperacion cu e partnernan den turismo y cu awendia ta comparti e mesun liña di maneho cu e mandatario.

Palm Beach – Un grupo di miembro di prensa di Reino Uni recientemente a bishita nos isla, riba invitacion di e Aruba Tourism Authority, pa wak y experiencia tur loke e isla tin pa ofrece. Durante nan estadia, e grupo di periodistanan tabatin solamente comentarionan positivo despues di a disfruta di un desayuno na Sunset Grille Restaurant. E grupo, incluyendo representantenan di The Sun y Okay Magazine, tabata compaña pa Radisson su Gerente Senior di Benta, Lily Polsbroek.

Sunset Grille Restaurant, Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa, awo ta sirbi un buffet extensivo di desayuno tur dia, di 7:00 a.m. pa 12:00 di merdia.

Y riba Diadomingo, e restaurant su Buffet di Desayuno ta wordo sirbi di 7:00 a.m. pa 10:30 a.m., na cual momento e seleccion ta wordo expandi y enrikeci pa sirbi un Brunch di Champaña di Diadomingo inolvidabel, di 11:30 a.m. pa 2:30 p.m.

Sunset Grille a caba di revela su menu delicioso di brunch, den cual e brigada culinario a crea un concepto interesante combinando specialidadnan sirbi estilo di buffet, y cushinamento a la minute for di e cushina di exhibicion.

Bishitantenan lo wak un surtido di pan y cos dushi di desayuno prepara fresco e dia ey, cerealnan cayente y frieu, fruta tropical fresco y yogurtnan di fruta, un seleccion di cabaron riba ijs, smoked salmou cu cream cheese, keshinan y charcuterie importa, saladanan componi, Clam Chowder, delicioso scrambled eggs, eggs benedict cu saus di Hollandaise, carninan di desayuno, link soseishi, bacon, batatanan di desayuno Caribense, pannenkoek, y French toast sirbi cu manteca cremoso y maple syrup, presenta na un manera sumamente bunita riba e buffet atractivo.

Despues di a purba tur e prome platonan, bishitantenan ta invita pa bishita e cushina di exhibicion di Sunset Grille y pidi e chef di desayuno pa omeletnan traha segun nan preferencia, incluyendo bo rellenonan faborito, of escohe cualkier, of tur di e platonan principal delicioso, manera Beef Tenderloin & Cabaron cu Konoflok cu batata dushi y asparagus prepara den forno, Pork Wellington den puff pastry cu duxelle di wild mushrooms, y saus di whole grain mosterd, Macadamia Crusted Grouper cu relish di fruta tropical, Galiña Drumette cu BBQ teriyaki & stir fried berdura, Pasta cu un variedad di saus, incluyendo Bolognese, Marinara y saus cremoso di Escargots, como tambe Pizza fresco traha cu mozzarella, pepperoni of vegetariano. E skina dushi ta ofrece un surtido di bolo y tert, mousse di chuculati, apple pie, cheese pie y cos dushi local.

E Brunch di Champaña riba Diadomingo ta sirbi un sin fin di kelki di Champaña y Mimosanan y ta ofrece e escohencia pa sinta pafo riba e terras cu bista riba e hardin tropical, of paden, den e sala di comemento elegante y airecondiciona.

ORANJESTAD- The AAA Four Diamond Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, situated on 14 acres of the island’s spectacular Palm Beach, has announced that it is embarking on a multi-million dollar room refreshment.

“This is a very exciting endeavor for us,” states General Manager Rob Smith. “There will not be any construction or radical changes made to the historic design of the property. We will maintain our West Indies-inspired spirit and style that our loyal guests treasure about the resort.”

Capitalizing on its distinctive architecture and open-air design originally masterminded by the renowned Morris Lapidus in the late 1950s, the furniture, fixtures and facing are being chosen to recapture the retro period from the resort’s conception.

Additionally, all of Radisson Aruba Resort’s trademark Colonial West Indian four poster beds will be outfitted with the brand’s custom-designed Sleep Number® beds, allowing guests to adjust mattress firmness and support to their liking at the touch of a button while resting on plush feather and down pillows. Technology is also being addressed during the refreshment to include the installation of flat screen televisions in every guest-room and surround sound capabilities in suites.

To ensure the comfort of its guests during this minimally invasive project, the resort will close off one building at a time until the work is completed and any exterior painting will be shielded by barriers.

As a result, the main noticeable detail guests will experience during the project is fewer fellow vacationers due to the reduced room inventory.

ORANJESTAD – Antoinette Van den Berg has been named Director of Sales and Marketing of the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. A member of the Aruba Marriott team since 2005, Van den Berg brings luxury experience, deep familiarization with Marriott and great enthusiasm to her new position.

As Director of Sales and Marketing of the Aruba Marriott and a member of the resort’s executive team, Van den Berg will oversee and implement all ECommerce, marketing and public relations initiatives, as well as transient and group sales. Van den Berg is dedicated to maintaining the resort’s reputation for high service standards.

“I’m ready and eager to enter this new chapter of my career,” said Van den Berg. “Aruba Marriott is a highly respected and outstanding Caribbean resort. I’m honored to fill this position and dedicated to helping deliver the best vacation experiences possible for our guests.”

Van den Berg was most recently Director of Sales for the Aruba Marriott, having joined the team in 2005 as a Senior Sales Manager. Prior to that, Van den Berg held various positions in Aruba’s hospitality industry including Assistant Restaurant Manager for The Mill Restaurant, Latin America Groups and Transient Sales Manager for the Aruba Sonesta Resort and Senior Manager of International Sales for De Palm Tours in Aruba. Van den Berg began her career in the hospitality industry as the Sales Manager for the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino.

“Van den Berg’s immeasurable experience and expertise working with high-end, service-oriented properties make her the perfect complement to the team at the Aruba Marriott Resort,” says Kevin Schwab, Vice President and Managing Director for the Aruba Marriott.

ORANJESTAD – Recientemente Renaissance Aruba Resort a organisa un fiesta di lunch pa cual hopi hende tabata presente den Renaissance Convention Center, unda cu e nominadonan y e ganadornan pa e Hotel Ekipo di e Prome Cuartal di 2010 a wordo anuncia, y reconoci pa Gerente General Paul Gielen y su ekipo.

Alwin Golding, un Receiving Clerk, nomina pa Angela Hagedoorn, tabata e ganador pa Heart of the House. Otro nominadonan a inclui Javier Mendoza, Steward; Sandra van Wijk, Cafeteria; Pauline Ashley, Room Attendant Ocean Suites; Guerline Suprey, Steward; Adrian Martilia, General Engineer y Wesley Bonsink, Kitchen Technician. Nector Alicea, di e Belldesk, nomina pa Selmar de Roo, tabata e ganador pa Front of the House. Otro nominado a inclui Ursula Philipps, Spa Attendant y Rudmar Paesch, Sole Poolbar.

Raquel Muyale, Accounting, nomina pa Aura Kock, tabata e ganador entre e Supervisornan dedica. Su coleganan nomina tabata Carmen Carrillo, Steward Supervisor; Zulaika Dijkhoff-Boekhoudt, Vacation Planner; Ida Illdge, Housekeeping Supervisor Ocean Suites; Mathilda, Ina Croes, Housekeeping Supervisor Marina Hotel, y Javier Croes, Food & Beverage Supervisor.

E ganadornan y nominadonan a para pa un oportunidad di saca potret, ricibiendo un ronda di aplauso pa nan prestacion estelar durante e prome tres lunanan di e aña.

ORANJESTAD – As past guests know and food aficionados will love to discover, every meal is a culinary experience at the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusives. Offering more tempting food and a wider variety of dishes than is typically found at all-inclusives, dining at these two properties is a memorable event highlighted by stunning ocean views. Plus, guests of the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba can eat at any of the 9 dining options, as guests staying at one property have full use of all services, facilities and amenities of both.

Because the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba are both located right on the beach, ocean views and an atmosphere of breezy barefoot charm surround diners at all times. All the properties’ oceanfront dining venues range in style from casual to easy elegance, and all provide open-air seating options for those who prefer to enjoy their meal al fresco. One of these is the Divi Aruba’s signature restaurant, the Red Parrot, which features fine cuisine and attentive service as well as an incredible view of the beach. Among the menu selections at this dinner-only establishment is the slowly roasted Prime Rib of Beef served with haricot verts and gratin potatoes. Other popular delicacies are the sautéed Escargot appetizer and the perfect finish to a beachside meal, the Apple Pie Caribbean made with local cane syrup from the islands.

Meanwhile, the Tamarijn Aruba’s signature Paparazzi Restaurant, Bar and Lounge practically transports guests to the vibrant heart of Italy. A warmly-coloured ceramic tile floor and simple, chic furnishings allows the food to take the spotlight. After feasting on classic Italian fare from rich pastas to fresh fish or tender meat accompanied by a choice vintage to pair with the meal, a rich Tiramisu or Frutte Fresche is an excellent way to complete the occasion. In true spirit of the country, the conversation and shared laughter often flows as freely as the wine!

For an entirely different type of cuisine, Ginger, the Asian-fusion restaurant located at the Tamarijn Aruba, is characterized by its eclectic, exotic flavours of the East from Spicy Green Curry Chicken with shrimp to assorted sushi and the exquisite Oriental Delight dessert, a unique concoction of classic flavours with spices and tropical fruits. Many food lovers also enjoy preparing their own tasty meal, so they can have everything cooked exactly the way they like it. For them, the Palm Grill, also located at the Tamarijn Aruba, lets diners have fun stir-frying their own shrimp, swordfish, chicken or beef mixed with fresh vegetables and rice on specialty grill tables.

For reservations and information visit www.diviaruba.com or www.tamarijnaruba.com
or call 1-800-554-2008 • 207-594-7888
J.E. Irausquin Boulevard #41 • Oranjestad, Aruba • e-mail: info@diviaruba.com

ORANJESTAD – Just in time for summer vacation planning, The Westin Resort, Aruba, is offering a “Suite Family” getaway, allowing mom, dad and the kids extra space to spread out and relax. Nightly rates start at $399 this summer for an ocean view suite, complete with one king bed and one full sleeper sofa, comfortably accommodating four guests.

The package, available when booking four or more nights, also includes a daily $100 food and beverage credit and a 50-percent discount off additional resort view rooms, perfect for larger broods or inviting extended family along.

While vacationing at the resort, children and families can partake in a variety of fun, adventurous and educational activities, planned daily by the resort’s resident “Director of Fun” Marielle Smeets, ranging from sandcastle building and seashell hunting to iguana feeding and coconut bowling.

Younger guests (ages four–12) can join The Westin Kids Club, where they’ll engage in water balloon splashes, tie dyeing and trips to the butterfly farm. When enrolling more than one child in the Kids Club, the resort provides a 30-percent discount on the total cost of the program.

While the younger set is occupied, mom and dad can spend time sans kids trying their luck in the casino, shopping around the island or just relaxing by the pool. The Director of Fun also organizes playtime for adults, with nightly Unwind rituals that include a Taste of Aruba with Balashi Beer, Mix Your Own Mojito or Create Your Own Caipirinha.

The whole family can reconnect with a variety of activities like Movies under the Stars, Fireside Storytelling and Stargazing, complete with professional telescopes. Daytime adventures include snorkeling, kayaking or visiting nearby Arikok National Park.

The “Suite Family” package is valid now through December 18, 2010; mention should be made of rate plan SUITFB at time of booking. The $399 nightly rate is per room, based on stays of four-six nights; for stays of seven nights or longer, nightly rates start at $379. Offer is based on availability and does not include tax or service. Discount for additional room will be credited at check-in.

ORANJESTAD – The AAA Four Diamond Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, situated on 14 acres of the island’s spectacular Palm Beach, has announced that it is embarking on a multi-million dollar room refreshment.

“This is a very exciting endeavour for us,” states General Manager Rob Smith. “There will not be any construction or radical changes made to the historic design of the property. We will maintain our West Indies-inspired spirit and style that our loyal guests treasure about the resort.”

Capitalizing on its distinctive architecture and open-air design originally masterminded by the renowned Morris Lapidus in the late 1950s, the furniture, fixtures and facing are being chosen to recapture the retro period from the resort’s conception.

Additionally, all of Radisson Aruba Resort’s trademark Colonial West Indian four poster beds will be outfitted with the brand’s custom-designed Sleep Number® beds, allowing guests to adjust mattress firmness and support to their liking at the touch of a button while resting on plush feather and down pillows. Technology is also being addressed during the refreshment to include the installation of flat screen televisions in every guest-room and surround sound capabilities in suites.

To ensure the comfort of its guests during this minimally invasive project, the resort will close off one building at a time until the work is completed and any exterior painting will be shielded by barriers.

As a result, the main noticeable detail guests will experience during the project is fewer fellow vacationers due to the reduced room inventory.

“This approach will give our guests more privacy while enjoying our 14-acre beachfront and coveted palapas as well as our tropical gardens and host of amenities,” states Smith.

Eagle Beach – Un fiesta di lunch cu tremendo catering a wordo organisa na honor di e ganadornan di Asociado di Luna pa e lunanan di Januari, Februari, Maart y April di 2010, na e Captain’s Table Restaurant.

E encuentra e enfoca riba y elogia e asociadonan cu a sobresali riba tur e otronan, durante e prome cuartal di e anja.

Virginia De Lange di e Departamento di Housekeeping a wordo elogia pa su actitud consistente y positivo, ya cu su amor pa e hotel y su huespetnan semper ta refleha su mes den e calidad di servicio cu e ta duna. Miguel Rasmijn di e Departamento di Engineering a wordo elogia pa su trabou, conocemento y sabiduria, y pa su boluntad, cual semper ta presente, pa resolve tur reto cu ta presenta nan mes. Miguel, kende no tabata por ta presente, a wordo representa pa un colega di su departamento.

Miguel su colega di e Departamento di Engineering Errel Tromp tabata e ganador pa Maart, y el a wordo elogia pa su tratamento puntual y preciso di tur tarea, grandi y chikito, y pa su nivel di cooperacion inter-departamental.

Eleucadia Croes di e departamento di Food & Beverage, tabata distingui pa April pa su trabou balente na e Islander’s Grill, mientras cu e ta traha su so tras di e range. Su coleganan di e cushina general tambe tabata presente pa celebra na un manera spontaneo su logro y duna Eleucadia pabien pa e honor, na e momento cu e bon noticia a yega nan oreanan.

E ganadora pa Supervisor di e Prome Semester tabata Mildred Clemencia, un perfeccionista super organisa for di e Departamento di Recursonan Humano, y kende ta tene e informacion di payroll den top estado y su departamento ta core manera un holoshi.

E Ekipo Ganador pa e Prome Semester tabata e Departamento di Housekeeping, kende su miembronan Sionise Antoine, Margarita Tatis Cano, Yvonne Duncan, Susan Estanislao, Jorge Mestanza, Dolores Flores, Betty Ortiz, Magdalena Gomez, Carlos de la Cruz, Solange Enmanuel, Cynthia Headley, Yolanda Boekhoudt, a colabora den un manera sumamente unico pa sigura cu e cambernan na nan di tres piso semper ta cla prome cu tempo, yudando otro pa gana contra e holoshi y cubri tur area como un ekipo, y no como sernan individual.

Tambe aplaudi na final di e fiesta di lunch tabata e Ekipo di Eagle, cual ta encarga cu e promocion di miho comprondimento y un mehoracion den comunicacion na e resort. Nan a traha duro y ta sigui traha duro pa yega e skinanan mas leu, incluyendo tur asociado, teniendo nan na altura di eventonan actual y informa di tur noticia di e hotel.

ORANJESTAD/SAN JUAN -The Official Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC 2010) welcomed “a very gratifying attendance of 349 delegates” – a 18% increase over the 296 attendees in 2009, according to Alec Sanguinetti, Director General and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA). The event was highlighted by a keynote address from Robert Crandall, former Chairman and CEO of AMR Corporation and American Airlines in which he called for a new regional marketing campaign and the easing of on-island taxation of the hospitality and tourism sector.

During CHTIC 2010 in Puerto Rico, CHTA announced the dates for the 15th Annual Official Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC 2011), which will be held from May 10-12 in one of three Caribbean nations currently bidding to host the event. The annual conference draws hoteliers, developers, tourist office officials, lenders and others interested in Caribbean tourism.

Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, president of CHTA, welcomed delegates on behalf of CHTA, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Puerto Rico Convention Bureau (PRCB), Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association (PRHTA) and Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), and then introduced a specially prepared video from former U.S. President Bill Clinton about the Haiti initiatives that he and former U.S. President George W. Bush are spearheading.

President Clinton urged conference delegates to continue with their efforts to further develop Caribbean tourism and noted that he strongly believes that tourism will help Haiti recover from the recent devastation from January’s earthquake.

De Marchena agreed with President Clinton, noting that “Haiti tourism should once again become a leading industry for the country. We Caribbean people cannot forget Haiti and at every opportunity we need to pitch the Haiti agenda and support President Clinton’s initiatives.”

Puerto Rico Governor, the Honorable Luis Fortuño (pictured right), who is also the former head of the PRTC, expressed his strong support for tourism as the leading generator of funds for the fragile economies of the Caribbean nations.

Puerto Rico has been making a huge effort with marketing, promotions and investments, as witnessed by this state-of-the-art Convention Center which has enabled CHTA to have a variety of very successful conferences over the past few years.

Under Governor Fortuño, Puerto Rico is a perfect example of a Caribbean nation that understands the need for investment partners to raise the bar on the infrastructure and hospitality industry product to compete effectively in the global marketplace.

De Marchena then went on to look at the current recovery in light of growing opportunities in the region, saying, “Unfortunately, the 2010 recovery we had all hoped for since the onset of the recession seems to be taking its time.

“While RevPAR and room rates are up as compared to 2009 levels, they are still down overall from 2008. The good news is that we can now safely say that from this point on, the tourism industry appears to be stabilizing.

“2009 was one of the worst years our tourism industry has ever experienced. According to the U.S. Travel Association, travel spending was down 9% from 2008.

“Smith Travel Research estimates that occupancy fell to 55% in 2009, while RevPAR fell by almost 17% – a record-setting decline. Luxury properties took the hardest hit with a nearly 25% drop in RevPAR.

“The business market all but disappeared in 2009 as companies cut travel expenses in reaction to their diminishing revenues. Advances in teleconferencing technologies made it easy to eliminate many of the meetings from which the tourism sector would have benefited.

“The latest STR data for the Caribbean shows that while RevPar is up 9.6% for 2010 versus 2009 levels, year to date through February, in comparison to February 2008 levels, RevPar is actually down 16.7%.

“Similarly, ADR rose 10.5% in February 2010 compared to February 2009, however, when looked at from the perspective of February 2008, ADR is essentially down 8.7%. From February 2008 to February 2010, occupancy declined 8.9% for the Caribbean hospitality sector overall.

“I think we can all agree that things are gradually getting better, but its not happening quickly enough. And the tourism industry – both in the Caribbean and globally – will continue to struggle a little longer than many experts originally projected.

“Now is the time to start strategizing and rebuilding. Now is the best time for hoteliers, tourism officials and other entities to meet with investors and developers to create a game plan for the future.

“Now is the time to invest in tourism, not when occupancy is high and you can’t afford to close down wings of your property for expansion and renovation. Now is the time to look at the investment opportunities as it is crucial that we prepare for the return of the millions of visitors that traditionally vacationed in our nations.

“We must improve our infrastructures and our hotel product so that we will be able to compete with the global tourism industry as the economy improves and travelers have the money to vacation once again.

“We must also pay close attention to our human resource development and the education of both our current employees and the youth of our nations. The sustainability of our tourism in the Caribbean is closely tied to the development of our human resources.
“The final piece of the success puzzle is the marketing of the product from the individual hotels, to the countries and to the region. It is a monumental task for a small hotel in the Caribbean to promote itself to the world. Promotion of the Caribbean as a region is paramount to what we must first achieve. We need to ensure that the potential visitors know and appreciate that the Caribbean is the leading warm weather destination in the world.

“Once that is done, our diverse individual destinations need to find their niche and stand out from our small crowd of islands and nations in the region.

“And finally, it is then up to the individual hotels to make sure that they are seen as the best product for their particular vacationers so that they get their fair share of the tourism pie.”

De Marchena concluded with a challenge to the delegates consisting of hoteliers, tourism ministers and directors, developers and lenders with: “We need to immediately retool and rebuild our tourism industry in the Caribbean. We need to raise the quality levels of our infrastructure and our hospitality industry product.

“We need to turn the red tape into a red carpet and have the public and private sectors work together to succeed as we have done before. We need to do this now, while we have the opportunity to make a difference.”