The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has signed two new Strategic Partnership agreements and is finalizing a third arrangement that will add three new companies to the list of exclusive Strategic Partners working to support the Caribbean hospitality industry.

Tropical Shipping has been designated as a Strategic Partner of CHTA and the Official Shipping Line of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

CHTA has also recently signed a similar agreement with Eventstar, the event and facilities management company.  Eventstar has provided the structural facilities for the Caribbean Marketplace in St. Lucia in 2009, Aruba in 2007 and Jamaica in 2005, accommodating more than 1,500 delegates in fully air-conditioned temporary facilities.

A third new agreement is being finalized in which the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) will be designated as a Strategic Partner of CHTA.  ARDA represents the vacation ownership industry worldwide and has a strong presence with many of its members based in the Caribbean region.

CHTA Strategic Partners are leading organizations and companies involved in a wide range of industry sectors and activities for the betterment of the Caribbean. Although these areas of activities may differ, they are all committed to their work in the Caribbean hotel, resort and hospitality industry.

Benefits of the Strategic Partnership include participating in select CHTA conferences and events which provides the Strategic Partners with the unique occasion of forging a broad network of national and international contacts. Partners gain an opportunity to share their expertise, work closely with the hotel clients, acquire valuable insight into the latest industry developments and work with the CHTA and its members in providing solutions to the industry's challenges and priorities.

“We are pleased to add Tropical Shipping, Eventstar and ARDA to our elite group of supporters of the Caribbean hospitality industry,” said Alec Sanguinetti, Director General and CEO of CHTA, adding:

“These companies bring a new expertise to CHTA as our Strategic Partners and will enable our entire membership to experience the benefit of their participation. They and our other Strategic Partners recognize the importance of tourism and the hospitality sector, and our impact on the economy of the region.”

Tropical Shipping, Eventstar and ARDA join American Express, Caribbean Travel & Life, FirstCaribbean International Bank, Fosters Group, Interval International, Travel Agent Magazine, and Utell Hotels & Resorts as Strategic Partners of CHTA

Tropical Shipping, at appropriate events, will offer a comprehensive package of shipping and logistical benefits to CHTA members.

Eventstar brings its conference, events and facilities management to our region, while ARDA brings both an educational expertise and experience in planning legislation in areas of vacation ownership, one of the fastest growing segments of our hospitality industry.

CHTA will, in turn, provide access to CHTA events, free booths at designated events, e-mail communications to all CHTA members, coverage of the companies in the CHTA Weekly News, free advertising in designated CHTA publications, a direct link on the CHTA website to their respective websites, corporate recognition on all CHTA literature, flyers, websites, promotion brochures and trade shows, and access to Board of Directors social events.