US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association

CHTA Marketplace Highlights

From Karolin Troubetzkoy:

It was a pleasure to moderate a panel of experts at Caribbean Marketplace in Jamaica, deliberating on fast-tracking sustainable practices in the tourism sector. My panelists included Lisa Hamilton from the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association and Chair of CSHAE (Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives) who shared some best practices from across the region. Dr. Rob Brumbaugh from the Caribbean Division of the Nature Conservancy highlighted their collaboration with CHTA and CAST in coral restoration within the tourism sector. The keynote for the panel was delivered by the amazing and inspiring Sheila Johnson, the co-founder of BET among so many other achievements; she now also is a Caribbean hotelier through her ownership of Half Moon in Jamaica and Aurora in Anguilla. She highlighted the pressing issue of climate change, particularly its undeniable impact on island nations, urging an immediate and integrated approach to sustainable tourism practices that can both mitigate and adapt to these changes. Ms. Johnson’s remarks also celebrated the innovations at Salamander Resorts, which are at the forefront of environmental stewardship and community involvement, setting a compelling example for the industry. Ms. Johnson was introduced by CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig.