Regional Training Program Message from Karolin Troubetzkoy, CHTAEF Chairperson Dear Marketplace Attendees, Welcome to The Bahamas! As the Chairperson of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF), it is my pleasure to share with you the Foundation’s highlights of 2019. In 2019, we awarded 20 scholarships to students from 10 different destinations: Anguilla, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our scholars are gaining hospitality knowledge, training and skills at some of the most prestigious institutions around the globe, including Les Roches, Johnson & Wales University, College of Mount Saint Vincent, Cornell University, The Culinary Institute of America, Edinburgh Napier University, Lynn University, Monroe College, University of Aruba, University of the Virgin Islands, University of the West Indies, and Vatel Hotel & Tourism Business School. But what made 2019 truly notable was our on-island training courses through which we reached more than 750 hospitality professionals in Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Maarten, and Tobago. The feedback from our colleagues who participated in these trainings was phenomenal, and we are excited that we are able to deliver more training to other islands in 2020. The on-island training was made possible through the generous contributions of our long-time sponsors Virgin Holidays and Interval International. For more than a decade, these organizations have helped us transform the lives and careers of Caribbean hospitality professionals not only through individual scholarships, but now also through our on-island activities. We are deeply indebted to Virgin Holidays and Interval International for their commitment to the CHTAEF and to Caribbean hospitality education and training. Donations from CHTA hotel members also contributed greatly to our success in 2019. CHTAEF thanks those properties that donate getaway packages for the New York Times Travel Show’s annual auction, which serves as the foundation for our yearly operational funding. Working collaboratively with our member partners fuels our enthusiasm and creativity, and we look forward to continuing the good work we have begun. If you have not yet participated by donating a hotel stay or becoming a sponsor, we would love to discuss with you how you can join your colleagues in building Caribbean success and unity by promoting and supporting travel to the region. To learn more about the Foundation, email foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com or karolin@ caribbeanhotelandtourism.com. Have a productive Caribbean Travel Marketplace and enjoy all The Bahamas has to offer! Sincerely, Karolin Troubetzkoy Chairperson CHTA Education Foundation
Dorian Relief Efforts In early September 2019, Hurricane Dorian delivered a devastating blow to two of the major islands in The Bahamas, Grand Bahama and Abaco. Around the globe, people were extremely saddened by the loss of life, homes destroyed and landscape damaged. In the spirit of our One Caribbean Family, the CHTAEF embarked on a special fundraising drive to assist in the relief efforts, with our focus on training and educational needs, from school children to hospitality workers. We were able to raise US 35,000 independently from the CHTA who also undertook a major fundraising activity.