Caribbean tourism stakeholders are abuzz at the announcement by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) that its bedrock Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM), which brings together buyers and sellers of the region’s tourism products, will be hosted by Puerto Rico between October 3 and 5 this year. An added incentive for participation is the fact that CHTA, which represents Caribbean tourism’s private sector interests, will be marking its 60th anniversary, which Nicola Madden-Greig, president of CHTA, expects will make it one of the association’s most memorable in-person gatherings. Caribbean Travel Marketplace 40 will build on last year’s virtual edition, which enabled the trade association to generate strong global awareness about the region. CHTA believes the region is well-poised to experience a sustained robust recovery from the pandemic. While 2022 bookings have been encouraging to date, maintaining and growing business into 2023 and beyond will require hard work and strong partnerships, the likes of which will be forged during CTM, a major catalyst for growing Caribbean tourism. Registration details will be available soon. Read the full press release here. For more information, visit www.chtamarketplace.com.

More regional news:

USVIHTA to excited to announce we have a new category of membership available for contract labor businesses. In addition to all of the great benefits members receive, contract labor businesses will be eligible for health insurance with Elan Insurance Group! If you know a contract laborer who would benefit from USVIHTA membership, forward this application or reach out to lisa@usvihta.com!

Caribe Wave Tsunami Drill date is fast approaching! The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) invites you to participate in Caribe Wave 2022, the USVI's largest tsunami preparedness drill! This year it will be held on March 10 at 10 a.m. Caribe Wave is an annual drill that focuses on tsunami preparedness. On the day of the drill at 10 a.m., you will be required to stop whatever you are doing to “DROP, COVER and HOLD ON” as if there was a major earthquake and subsequent tsunami occurring. Once you’ve stayed in the position for 60 seconds, you will then evacuate from wherever you are located to your nearest designated safe zone. To register today, visit www.tsunamizone.org/register. It's fast, free, and easy! On the day of the event, we strongly encourage you to take pictures and videos. Tag us on social media using the hashtag #KNOWYOURZONE for the chance to be re-posted on VITEMA's social media platforms! 

After a two year delay, the 11th annual King of the Wing competition will take place on June 11 at Magens Bay beach in St. Thomas. Teams consisting of the top local restaurants, businesses, organizations and chicken wing connoisseurs will set up their grills and cooking stations right on the beach starting from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in order to cook up mouthwatering chicken wings, wow the attendees and claim bragging rights for the best tasting wings on the island. Sponsored by Coors Light and Captain Morgan and presented by Alpine Securities and White Bay Group, King of the Wing is entering its 11th year with proceeds benefiting the Virgin Islands Children's Museum (VICM), a 501(c)3 recognized organization. Registration for the competition will be open in March. For more information, contact Vernon Araujo at vernon.araujo@alpineusvi.com or call 340-626-3729.

For more information, contact Omar Andres Haedo directly at omar.a.haedo@elan.insure.