TOURISM IN THE CARIBBEAN TO GENERATE 34.6 TRILLION DOLLARS IN 2003
A report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), pointed out that the current panorama shows that calm has returned to the Caribbean's travel and tourism industry. It is expected that this year the sector will generate 34.6 trillion dollars of the total demand of the region's economic activity. According to the WTTC forecast in its latest report, "The Impact of Travel & Tourism on Jobs and the Economy", this figure will represent 3.7% of this year's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 3% of the real demand's growth. The document also pointed out that in terms of employment the activity will generate 567,870 job posts, representing 3.7% of the Caribbean region's labor market. In terms of investment capital, it is expected the sector will attract 22.3% compared to the other economic sectors, representing close to 7.6 trillion dollars for the economy. (Source: DR Daily News)

CHA JOINS THE NEW YORK TIMES' FIRST ANNUAL TRAVEL SHOW
The New York Times is launching its first trade and consumer travel event, called The New York Times Travel Show, to be held February 27 - 29, 2004 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City. To kick-off the weekend, a panel discussion with travel industry leaders, called The Global Tourism Summit, is scheduled for the morning of Friday, February 27, 2004. This meeting will be open exclusively to the trade industry and will be co-sponsored by leading travel industry organizations, including U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA), Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) and CHA. Also that day, a series of seminars will be offered to the trade to discuss various issues facing the industry today. The New York Times Travel Show consists of a major exhibition as well as a trade event. The exhibition will feature nine pavilions showcasing different regions of the world including Africa, Asia, Australia/South Pacific, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico/Central America, South America and the United States. In addition, three industry pavilions will showcase exhibitors in the cruise, hotel and retail sectors. For more information about the show, log on to www.nytimes.com/travelshow.

Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association,

P.O. Box 243,  Port of Spain, Trinidad.,
Tel:  (868) 634-1174/5 fax: (868) 634-1176 ,
e-mail: info@tnthotels.com
Website:  www.tnthotels.com

BUSINESS ROUND TABLE
Members of the Business Round Table met at the Hilton Trinidad on 14th August 2003 to discuss the creation of jobs through tourism. Presentations were made by Ali Khan, General Manager of Hilton Trinidad and Sharifa Ali Abdullah, Manager –Economic Intelligence Unit, TIDCO.

BOARD RETREAT
The Retreat for the newly elected Board of Directors of the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association will take place on Sunday 24th August 2003 at Salybia Resort & Spa.

REGIONAL VISITOR PROTECTION CONFERENCE is scheduled to take place on September 22nd & 23rd, 2003 in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

TTHTI ORIENTATION FOR NEW STUDENTS
will take place on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th August 2003 at the Campus in Chaguaramas.

Rule of 10:
"It takes 10-THOUSAND dollars in marketing funds to attract a single guest to a hotel.
It takes 10 SECONDS to irritate that guest to the point of not wanting to return.
And ... it takes 10 YEARS for the guest to consider RETURNING to the hotel ... especially if there are a number of competitive choices in the market." 
- Tom Murray 

(For a copy of Murray's keynote speech, and other CHIC presentations, go to www.cha-chic.org and click on 'They Said It!")