The Caribbean Hotels Retreat is an informal gathering by design, created by small hoteliers for small and independent hoteliers, intended to foster the open exchange of ideas and experiences – and most importantly, to provide practical hands-on advice from industry experts that delegates can put into practice immediately.  The first day will be “Operations Day” with a comprehensive slate of related presentations devoted to hotel management in the morning, and  ‘round-tables’ in the afternoon. The second day will be “Marketing Day” and will follow the same format. HSMAI (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International) is developing content specifically for the small and independent Caribbean hotelier and will draw upon their rich vein of top quality speakers and presenters to provide a unique, hands-on, full day devoted to hotel marketing.

“Small and independent hotels still comprise a large percentage of accommodations throughout the Caribbean and a significant portion of CHTA’s membership, but competing with large hotels with vast marketing budgets has become increasingly difficult,” noted Enrique De Marchena Kaluche, president of CHTA.

“This retreat is a forum where hoteliers can gather to discuss challenges and strategies, as well as how we as a group can take proactive steps to increase consumer appeal for privately-owned boutique hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean,” added De Marchena Kaluche.

“With the majority of hotel properties in St Kitts & Nevis falling within the small hotel category, it will be beneficial to our hoteliers that we host the small hotels conference this coming October. St. Kitts & Nevis offers a range of product from high-end Plantation Inns to more mid-market hotels and dive resorts in our small hotels product line,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Culture.

“As a former Board member of a small hotel myself, I appreciate the peculiar challenges that small hotels face in an increasingly competitive market, but I also believe that our small hotels need to better prepare and position themselves to serve individual niche markets with a more personalized experience,” Skerritt added.

Allied members who specialize in serving smaller hospitality operations can demonstrate their products and services at the table-top trade show. Rates for a tabletop display start at $750 per exhibitor.

For those industry partners wishing to “step up to the plate” and elevate their presence in front of this most vital niche market of Caribbean tourism, a limited number of conference sponsorships are available at $4,850 – a full list of benefits may be found via the website address below. American Express, Choice Hotels International and Interval International have already committed

Registration for the conference starts at US$150 for hoteliers (US$200 after Sept. 5) and US$275 for non-hotelier delegates (US$325 after Sept. 5).  Day passes for hotel members are available for US$100.

CHTA has arranged a special group rate of US$135 per night (single or double occupancy) at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino.  Reservations must be made by contacting the hotel at 1-800-223-6388 or 869-466-1200, via fax to 869-466-2405 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . The group code “CHA Small Hotels Retreat, Oct. 1-3” must be mentioned at the time of booking. Taxes and service charges are not included in the group rate. The group rate must be booked by Sept. 5, 2008.  Reservation requests received after this date will be accepted on a space available basis.

For complete details and to register for the conference, visit http://www.caribbeanhotelassociation.com/smallhotelsretreat.html.

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history.

The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.

For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll-free from the U.S. at 800-582-6208 or from Canada at 888-395-4887, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  or visit the website at http://www.stkittstourism.kn.