The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), two major hospitality industry associations – encouraged by the success of their partnership during its first year – have renewed their Strategic Partnership for 2010/11 and will move ahead with initiatives aimed at growing and enhancing the timeshare industry in the Caribbean.

While CHTA is the voice of the Caribbean hospitality and tourism sector, ARDA represents the worldwide vacation ownership industry and has many of its members based in the Caribbean region.

“We have been very pleased with our Strategic Partnership with ARDA,” said Alec Sanguinetti, Director General and CEO of CHTA. "In addition to representing the expansion of timeshare and mixed use resorts across the Caribbean, ARDA has been extremely supportive of our various conferences, including our Investment Conference, Small Hotels Retreat and the Leadership Conference for national hotel association executives,” noted Sanguinetti.

“The Caribbean is an essential player in the global tourism market as well as the vacation ownership industry,” said Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club and Chairman of the American Resort Development Association, adding: “We are excited about our continued partnership with CHTA and the opportunities this affords ARDA to expand the vacation ownership segment within the Caribbean resort industry.”

ARDA and CHTA will continue to work together to enhance the timeshare industry in the Caribbean and create mutually beneficial programs for each other’s memberships.

CHTA Strategic Partners currently include ARDA, Eventstar, Caribbean Travel & Life, FirstCaribbean International Bank, Forum Telecom, Green Globe Certification, Interval International, MasterCard, Tropical Shipping and Utell Hotels & Resorts.