John Bell, director general and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), organizer of the regional marketing event, explained: �The Caribbean tourism industry, as the global travel and tourism industry at large, has been at a crossroads and in recovery since September 11th.  After the initial shock and confusion, it is time for the Caribbean to get back to the business of doing business.  Now more than ever, CHA Marketplace is the most important tourism marketing forum for Caribbean suppliers and buyers from worldwide markets to meet and create business opportunities for the coming season.�

Bell added that as a result of �911,� the Caribbean is emerging as an alternative destination, especially for Europeans that traditionally travel to destinations in the Indian Ocean, the Gulf States, and North Africa, as well as the Latin American traveler who normally goes to the United States.  �This has resulted in a broader database of buyers, tour operators, wholesalers, corporate and incentive meeting planners, and charter operators for CHA Marketplace 2002.  It will provide Caribbean suppliers with more business opportunities,� he concluded.  In addition, for the first time in 2002, incentive buyers, meeting planners, group buyers and dive shop owners will also be able to attend the marketing event as qualified buyers.

CHA has enhanced CHA Marketplace with new features designed to provide a better experience for conference delegates:

• Small Hotels and Booth Sharing � Qualified CHA small hotels (75 rooms or less) will be able to share a booth for a special rate.  Each small hotel sharing a booth will be able to schedule up to 42 appointments (which is the same amount designated to individual booths).  This feature was added in order to better serve the Caribbean small hotel sector, which represents 60% of the industry;

• The Option of an All-Inclusive CHA Marketplace for Better Value � Delegates staying at either the Moon Palace Resort (the conference�s headquarters hotel and event site) or the Cancún Palace Resort (with free shuttle service to Moon Palace) will receive accommodations; all taxes and gratuities; roundtrip airport transfers; all meals and snacks; unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic); nightly entertainment; and use of the health club and all other hotel facilities.  

• Business Floor On One Level � CHA Marketplace will be very buyer-friendly because all supplier booths will be on one level at the new Exhibition Center at the Moon Palace Resort.  In this way, buyers will be able to move to their appointments in a more timely fashion.  

• Electronic Delegate Directory � The delegate directory will be available to all registered delegates in an electronic format soon after the close of the printed directory.  This will be updated on a weekly basis.  The electronic directory enables delegates to view up-to-date listings of buyers and suppliers for easier appointment selections.

CHA inaugurated CHA Marketplace in 1980 in order to provide its members with an international forum for conducting negotiations in a business environment with scheduled appointments.  At CHA Marketplace, CHA members have the opportunity to meet, discuss and contract for future business with international buyers from around the world.  Celebrating its 22nd anniversary in January 2002, CHA Marketplace is recognized as the most important tourism marketing event of the year for the Caribbean region. The event brings together approximately 400 Caribbean tourism suppliers from the 36 national associations that are members of CHA to meet with qualified international buyers from approximately 35 countries around the world.