Caribbean Hotel And Tourism Association President Welcomes Barbados’ First Female Prime Minister

MIAMI, Florida May 29, 2018 — The resounding mandate that Barbados’ first female prime minister earned from the electorate is a vote of confidence for women in leadership throughout the Caribbean, says Karolin Troubetzkoy, President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), as she congratulated incoming Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, on her, and her party’s, recent 30-0 victory at the polls, last Thursday.

Troubetzkoy, who on International Women’s Day this year called for an acceleration of gender parity to help Caribbean women advance and unleash their potential, applauded the Barbadian public for its record of advancing women to the forefront of leadership.

“From the late Dame Nita Barrow to Dames, Billie Miller and Sandra Mason, and now Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, Barbados has a proud history of investing in, and placing confidence in, women in decision-making positions,” said Troubetzkoy, who added that the Caribbean should be proud of this latest development.

CHTA is the Caribbean’s leading association representing the interests of national hotel and tourism associations, and for more than 50 years, has been the backbone of the Caribbean hospitality industry.

Working with some 1,000 hotel and allied members, and 32 National Hotel Associations, CHTA is shaping the Caribbean’s future and helping members to grow their businesses.

St. Lucia-based Troubetzkoy, who has been a vocal advocate for women in leadership, will be succeeded as CHTA President by Patricia Affonso-Dass of Barbados, at CHTA’s fourth Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), at the Hyatt Regency Miami, from June 22 to 24.

One of CHIEF’s general sessions, “Advancing a Culture of Inclusion”, will examine how gender balance benefits the bottom line.

Produced by CHTA, the CHIEF is the premier educational forum for Caribbean hospitality and tourism professionals, and is where hospitality industry leaders assemble to connect, learn best practices, share ideas, brainstorm creative solutions to current challenges and build relationships.

With three educational tracks covering a multitude of relevant topics, from the sharing economy to sustainability, and interactive roundtable and speed networking sessions, this event addresses issues affecting all businesses.

The forum attracts hoteliers, vendors, government officials and industry experts focused on a stronger, profitable and more sustainable industry.

“From a business perspective, policies and procedures, trainings and overall corporate culture need to be in place to allow for a more gender-balanced workplace,” said Frank Comito, CHTA’s Director General and CEO, who promised that delegates will hear from women on the front lines of hospitality who have risen through the industry and are now leading the progress towards a culture of inclusion.

Confirmed speakers for this session include Troubetzkoy; Joyce Destang, Owner of Bay Gardens Resorts in St. Lucia; Marie McKenzie, Vice President, Global Ports and Caribbean Government Relations, Carnival Corporation; and Lisa Rickards, CEO at Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship in Jamaica.

Professional development and a vibrant speed-networking session will feature again this year at CHIEF, which will also host Taste of the Caribbean, where the region’s best chefs and their teams will compete. Taste of the Caribbean also offers insight and experience for food and beverage participants, who can learn the latest trends and techniques emerging from Caribbean kitchens.

Also returning to Miami this year will be CHTA’s Caribbean305 event, where flavors from more than a dozen Caribbean nations will be simmering at the culinary and cultural celebration taking place on Miami’s Jungle Island on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 8 p.m.