
CHTA is providing members a weekly webinar series called “CHTA Live: Forging Ahead Series”. Webinars on this series provide practical content to support your strategies for recovery; join the interactive discussions and exchange with industry professionals. #CHTALive.
Full webinar presentations and any support materials are available in PDF format via the secured CHTA Membership Portal. Please click the title link to view the recording.
On behalf of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association – we greatly appreciate the interest, participation and engagement we have received from CHTA members and non-members. We invite you to watch prior CHTA Live webinar recordings available below and submit any future topics you are interested in learning to: membership@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.
An introductory webinar on Web3 (blockchain, cryptocurrencies, NFTs etc.) and Metaverse technologies and terminology, with important next steps for businesses in the Caribbean and near-term applications.
What We’ll Cover:
- Developing a thoughtful framework for evaluating Web3 and Metaverse technologies so that you know what will work for your business and when to get underway
- The basics of Web3 including blockchains, cryptocurrencies and NFTs
- Explaining what Caribbean hotels and tourism operators can use Web3 technologies for to attract new customers, enhance loyalty and fundraise
- An introduction to the Metaverse in terms of augmented reality, digital twins and virtual reality, as well as how Web3 supports this development
- Current and near-term applications for Web3 and Metaverse technologies, including examples of companies and businesses using these tools
Panelist:
Adam Mogelonsky, Hotel Mogel Consulting Ltd.
September 8 and 15: ‘Sargassum: Managing the Threat…Outlook and Best Practices’ Part 1 & 2
A two-part virtual learning series to support tourism industry stakeholders efforts to monitor, manage and mitigate sargassum’s impact on tourism and the environment.
Part 1 –
Please click here for the recording
Please click here and here to view the presentations.
What We’ll Cover:
- The latest research on causes and outlook
- Monitoring to manage and mitigate sargassum’s impact
- Impact on the environment, tourism and the economic opportunities
Panelist:
- Dr. Shelly Ann Cox, CEO, Blueshell Productions
- Dr. Chuanmin Hu, Coordinator, Satellite-based Sargassum Watch System (SaWS), University of South Florida
- Jake Kheel, Vice President, Grupo Puntacana Foundation
Moderator:
Denaye Hinds, Owner, JustaTAAD, LLC
Part 2 –
Please click here for recording.
Please click here and here for presentation.
What We’ll Cover:
- Clean-Up Do’s and Don’t’s
- Best Practices by Destinations, Companies
- Leveraging Public and Private Sector Efforts
- Effective Communication Strategies to Guests, Prospective Guests, Media and Public
Panelist:
- Dr. Shelly Ann Cox, CEO, Blueshell Productions
- Raymond Mossiah, Chief Tourism Officer, Ministry of Tourism, Chair, Sargassum Task Force of Belize
- Ricardo Perez, GM, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, and Director, Beach Cleaning Foundation, St. Maarten
- Leroy Browne, GM, Sea Breeze Beach House, Barbados and Director, A Class Hotels, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association,
Moderator:
Denaye Hinds, Owner, JustaTAAD, LLC
The hotel and tourism industry has embraced technologies to improve the delivery of products and services to customers. Still, there are security risks related to these technologies, given the stored data and financial transactions carried out daily.
All employees within an organization must understand these risks and learn how to prevent them. Our panelists in this interactive masterclass will discuss cybersecurity risks, best practices, and the cost of implementing security to protect your data.
During this masterclass we will discuss:
- What can go wrong with cybersecurity and the consequences
- COVID-19 and its impact on cybersecurity
- Best practices to protect your data
- Understanding GDPR
- Low cost solutions and where to spend your money
International travel continues to be strong with the Caribbean’s accessibility, product diversity and track record on health safety driving the recovery. However, rising inflation caused by an increase in the cost of gas and commodities fueled by the war in Ukraine will reduce the available household budget, which may well have a negative impact on discretionary spending such as travel.
In this session we will look at what tourism destinations and businesses might expect for the rest of 2022. Panelists will share a recap of the industry’s performance to-date and provide insights on the latest demand and spending patterns for 2022, as we identify opportunities and challenges to help guide your decision-making.
Presenter:
Sonia Huerta, Head of Customer Success, Mabrian Technologies
March 31: Say Goodbye to Off-Season: Strategies to Fill Empty Rooms
Please click here to view the recording
Hoteliers know all too well how low demand during off-season can make or break revenue goals. Coming out of the last two years, the entire industry is dealing with a myriad of challenges from fluctuating demand to staff shortages and tightened marketing budgets. For hotels already operating on reduced profit margins, a significant dip in bookings during the off-season can spell disaster – but it doesn’t have to.
With the right tech stack in place and a solid understanding of your best guests, hotels have more resources at their disposal than ever before to drive profitable revenue growth and loyalty. Our panelists will go over the latest strategies and technologies designed to help hotels boost profitability during low periods while simultaneously elevating the guest experience, and how to leverage those concepts to promote repeat visits throughout the year.
During this webinar we will discuss:
- Easy tips to drive occupancy and non-room revenue at your hotel
- Digital marketing tactics that will maximize your reach
- Effective ways to drive email conversions on your campaigns
- Hotel website personalization tactics to boost direct bookings
- How to leverage loyalty to increase repeat guests
Panelists:
- Tina Markowitz, VP Digital Marketing Media & Analytics, Cendyn
- Alex Moura, Director of Sales, LATAM, Cendyn
Please click here to view the recording
As restrictions lift, travelers are looking to the Caribbean as a top international destination, and hoteliers and tourism boards are excited to respond to that demand. The pace of tourism’s recovery for the Caribbean is accelerating, presenting opportunities for the tuned-in, savvy hotelier.
Join CHTA’s strategic partner Travelzoo® and fellow Caribbean hoteliers as we look at:
- Travelers’ top international destinations and where the Caribbean stands
- Most sought-after Caribbean destinations (and how those not on the list can entice travelers)
- Offers which are resonating and attracting new business
- Broadening Your market appeal with special, luxury experiences that travelers want
Panelists:
- Blanka Dewapura, Co-founder and Co-owner, Oceanid Hospitality Group
- John Cather, Director of Sales, St. Lucia, Barbados, Panama & Palm Island, Elite Island Resorts
- Cesar Rocha, Revenue and Distribution Manager, Sonesta St. Maarten
- Ariadne Barrios, Caribbean Sales Manager, Travelzoo
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us to go digital in an effort to avoid physical contact as much as possible. As the Caribbean tourism industry shifts into the future, many hotels are figuring out how to use technology to their advantage while maintaining a warm and memorable guest experience. Listen to our expert panelists for their experience and insight into:
- New industry innovations you can apply to your business
- How to make the guest experience as seamless as possible
- Helping staff understand how to use new digital tools
- How to decide how high-tech you want to go
- How to deepen customer engagement and satisfaction while improving your bottom line
Your property’s technological tools can be as simple as a QR code for a menu or as high-tech as a completely contactless check-in. It comes down to this: What guest experience are you trying to achieve and what’s your budget? Match the two to get your desired result.
Panelists:
- Alisdair Luxmoore, Founder & CEO, Vamoos
- Shannon Kircher, Marketing Director, Frangipani Beach Resort, Anguilla
- Christus Gill, Information Technology Manager, Marigot Bay Resort and Marina, St. Lucia
- Kyle Mais, General Manager, Jamaica Inn
Please click here to view the recording
As Caribbean hotels look to recover, a growing number are once again benefiting from insights provided by STR, the world’s leading tourism industry barometer on rate, ADR, occupancy and comparative company subset and destination performance. Join STR and CHTA for a strategy-guiding session as we look at:
- Summer, 2021 Industry Performance and How You Measure Up
- How the Winter Season is Shaping Up
- Benchmarking Against 2019 and Trendline Data Pre-Covid-19
- How-Out Events and Strategies Shape Performance
- Essential Decision-Making Tools… How Data and Reports Drive Better Decisions
Panelists:
- Peter Hopgood, President, Paulson Puerto Rico Hotels
- Rico Louw, Regional Sales Manager and Sales Executive for Mexico, STR
- Erin Smith, Chief Information Officer, Bermuda Tourism Authority
- Karolin Troubetzkoy, Executive Director, Marketing and Operations, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts
Attendees will also learn about STR’s Planned Forward STAR feature and how they can participate in and gain even more valuable planning insights from this new support service.
Please click here to view the recording.
Caribbean hotels are losing out on so much direct revenue by overreliance on 3rd party channels. Third parties are an important part of your channel mix, but there are many other strategies that can bring direct bookings and loyal repeat stays without the heavy commissions.
Join us for an engaging discussion on:
- Effective management with tour operators – understand your true constrained demand to see what inventory you offer
- Understanding your true competition: it’s not local other properties; its island based. Seeing how to compete effectively knowing this is the case
- Storytelling and brand strategies to ensure travelers see the true value of YOUR island, property and what makes it special and unique
- Using tools like Shopping Cart Abandonment re-targeting “white glove” solutions on your Web site to ensure those lookers book on your site, not the OTA
- Why with proper training and techniques, your call centers can be your best sellers vs. order takes that turn travelers into dates, rates and names
Moderator: Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director, Bay Gardens Resorts
Panelists:
- Michael Stark, Enterprise Sales Consultant, NAVIS
- Oliver Janke, Account Director, US South East & Caribbean, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
- Marc Liu, Head of Strategy, Elmntl
Please click here to view the recording.
The webinar will include a moderated discussion with Caribbean hoteliers and tourism boards, and focus on the following topics:
- Latest travel sentiment data
- International travel preferences
- Challenges with re-opening destinations and hotels
- Successful communication plans for destinations as restrictions lift or change
- Successful re-opening strategies for hoteliers
Panelists:
July 29: Our Best Shot – A Look at Successful Vaccine Awareness Practices in the Tourism Industry
Please click here to view the recording.
Encouraging employees to vaccinate can be challenging, but one which has tremendous public health benefits as well as continuing to safeguard your business and our industry. Doing so requires overcoming barriers of awareness, availability, and (sometimes) vaccine hesitancy.
Join us for an exchange session as we share best practices on vaccine awareness campaigns from destinations and businesses that have successfully turned challenges into opportunities.
Please click here to view the recording.
Join CHTA and a Panel of Leading Experts to Discuss….
- Tips for creating or updating your business continuity plan
- Best practices in business continuity planning
- Health safety considerations to safeguard your business, team members and guests
- Communications strategies to minimize the impact on your business
- Regional and local response mechanisms and areas of support
- Your insurance checklist
April 22: Tapping Into the Growing Popularity of Travel Advisors
Please click here to view the recording.
Please click here to view the recording.
Panelists:
- Susan Catto, Head of Publishing & Production, Canada, Travelzoo
- Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director, Bay Gardens Resorts, St. Lucia
- George Hunter, Vice President VP of Leisure Sales for International Segments, Posadas
- Richard Rodriguez, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, North America, Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
- Andrée Sanquini, General Manager, U.S., Travelzoo
Please click here to view the recording.
Panelists:
- Andreas Spycher, Principal – Mastercard Data & Services
- David Klippenstein, Government Data & Services lead at Mastercard Advisors
Please click here to view the recording.
Please click here to view the presentation.
Panelists:
- Peter Cerda, Regional Vice President, The Americas, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Nicola Madden-Greig, 1st CHTA Vice President and Chairperson, CHTA Advocacy Committee, Group Director of Marketing & Sales, The Courtleigh Hospitality Group
- Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
Please click here to view the view recording.
Panelist:
- Manny Melendez, Director of Sales, LATAM and the Caribbean, Amadeus Integrated Booking Suite
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Chris Davidson, Executive Vice President, Insights and Strategies, MMGY Global
- Dr. James Hepple, CEO, Tourism Analytics
- Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman, Sandals Resorts International
- Dr. Peter Yesawich, Vice Chairman Emeritus, MMGY Global
Please click here to view the video recording.
Moderator:
- Liz Wunderlich, Caribbean Manager, US Meat Export Federation (caribbean@usmef.org)
Panelists:
- Gebran Charbine, Vice President, Brand Marketing, International & Ethnic, Certified Angus Beef ® brand (gebran@certifiedangusbeef.com)
- Maggie O’Quinn, New Business Development Manager, Midan Marketing
- Peter Rosenberg, Corporate Chef, Certified Angus Beef ® brand
- Matt Shoup, Manager, Public Relations, Certified Angus Beef ® brand
Please click here to view the video recording.
Moderator:
- Omar Robinson, General Manager, Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Panelists:
- Paul Collymore, General Manager, The Landings Resort & Spa by Elegant Hotels
- John Quail, Director of Operations, Springboard Caribbean
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Bram van Berkel, Field Marketing Director, Amadeus
- Edward Lines, Travel Industry Manager, Google
Sept 10: Safeguarding the Guest Experience with Contactless Technology – Part 2
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Jeff Aguiar, Director of Sales, Intelity
- Tim Butterworth, Commercial Director, Crave Interactive
- Perle Flavien, Director of Operations, Marigot Bay Resort & Marina
- Christus Gill, IT Manager, Marigot Bay Resort & Marina
- Gareth Hughes, Founder & Owner, Crave Interactive
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Perle Flavien, Director of Operations, Marigot Bay Resort & Marina
- Christus Gill, IT Manager, Marigot Bay Resort & Marina
- Renato Matsuda, Regional Director Latin America & Caribbean, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Lara Barlow, General Manager, U.S., Travelzoo
- Susan Catto, Head of Content & Publishing, Canada, Travelzoo
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Marlon Hill, Esq., Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP
- Nicola Madden-Greig, Group Director of Marketing & Sales, Courtleigh Hospitality Group
- Larry Basham, General Counsel & COO, Elite Island Resorts
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Jamaal Bowen, Chairman and Director, TopShelf Academy Inc.
- Ira Claxton, Founder, The Calypso Epicurean
- Marv Cunningham, Executive Mixologist & Cocktail Consultant, Mr. Mix Bahamas
- Raakesh Madoo, Food & Beverage Lecturer, Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute (TTHTI)
- Neal Ramdhan, Managing Director, Verve Creations and Adjunct Lecturer, Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute (TTHTI)
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Richard Williams, CEO, Richard Williams & Associates Inc
- Cheryl Carter, Director, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, UK
- Victoria Cranmer, Owner, Paradise Promotions UK
- Natasha Griffin, Owner, Simply Caribbean UK
- Daniela Wagner, Group Business Development Director, Travel Weekly UK and a Director of The Resilience Council
Please click here to view the video recording.
Please click here to view the Q&A from the webinar.
Presenter:
- Leicia Savinetti, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Trip Mate
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Commonwealth of The Bahamas
- Simon Suarez, Vice President Institutional Relations and Projects, Grupo Puntacana
- Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Principal Partner, BedfordBakerGroup
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Melissa Biggs Bradley, Founder & CEO, Indagare
- Vivian Mur, Director of Sales – Leisure Markets, Adara
- Jeffrey Pankey, President, Figment Design
- John Saldat, Major Account Executive, Revinate
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Lara Barlow, General Manager, U.S., Travelzoo
- Frank Comito, CEO & Director General, CHTA
Please click here to view the video recording.
Moderator: Carol Hay, CEO, McKenzie Gayle Limited & Representative of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Chapter UK & Europe
Panelists:
- Manuela Hörl, Product/Marketing Specialist Caribbean Island, DER Touristik Deutschland GmbH – German Market
- Sander Langeveld, Owner & Managing Director, GlobActive – Benelux Market
- Karin Gert Nielsen, CEO, Atlantic Link – Scandinavian Market
- Virginie Le Norgant, Associate Director, GroupExpression – French Market
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Karen Whitt, Vice-President, Marketing and Brand Development, Hartling Group, 1st Vice President, CHTA
- Ed Carey, CSO, Discover Puerto Rico
- Jody Diamond, President, Diamond PR
- Ewald Biemans, Owner, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
- Susan Logan, CHDM, CRME, Director Sales & Marketing, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D., Vice Chairman, Emeritus, MMGY Global
- Chris Davidson, EVP/Insights and Strategy, MMGY Global
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Sonia Simmons, Communications Manager, Turks & Caicos Hotel & Tourism Association, Member CHTA Young Leader, Class 2019 – 2021
- Amrita Bhalla, Managing Director, A.B Consulting
- Lisa Cavender, Chief Empowerment Officer, Innergy
- Miles Mercera, President & CEO, Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Hon. Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism, United States Virgin Islands
- Peter Cerda, Regional Vice President for the Americas International Air Transport Association
- Robin Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, JetBlue Airways
- Trevor Sadler, Chief Executive Officer, interCaribbean Airways
Please click here to view the video recording.
Please click here to view the Q&A from the webinar.
Panelists:
- Gregor Nassief, Chairman, Fort Young Hotel & Secret Bay Resort, Commonwealth of Dominica
- Stanley W. Smith, CPA, Smith Orloff & Associates, International Insurance Loss Consultants
- David Ferguson Whittle, Chartered Loss Adjuster, Co-founder and Director, The Islands Claims Consultancy
Please click here to view the video recording.
Please click here to view the Q&A from the webinar.
Moderator: Nicola Madden-Greig, Group Director of Marketing & Sales, Courtleigh Hospitality Group
Panelists:
- Gail Springer, Principal Consultant, VIVere Consulting
- Peter Goudie, CEO, PGHR Consulting
- Nicole Antonio-Gadsdon, BVI People and Development Director, Necker and Moskito Islands
Please click here to view the video recording.
Please click here to view the Q&A from the webinar.
Panelists:
- Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director, Bay Gardens Resorts
- Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics, Caribbean Development Bank
- Matt Norton, Practice Area Leader – Real Estate, K&L Gates LLP
- George Spence, Managing Partner, Luxe Capital Americas
Please click here to view the video recording.
Panelists:
- Patricia Affonso-Dass, President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Group GM, Ocean Hotels, Barbados
- Tiffany Misrahi, Vice-President of Policy, World Travel and Tourism Council
- Emile Gourieux, Business Development Executive, Hotels, Canada, Caribbean & Mexico STR
- Carolyn Corda, Chief Marketing Officer, ADARA
- Dr. Jim Hepple, Managing Director, Tourism Analytics
Please click here to view the video.
Presenters:
- Dr. Lisa Indar, Assistant Director and Head, Tourism Health Program, CARPHA
- Dr. Stephanie Fletcher-Lartey, CARPHA Consultant, Health Information, Communicable Diseases & Emergency Responses
- Frank Comito, CEO & Director General, CHTA (Moderator)