The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is reporting an increase in buyer registrations for Caribbean Marketplace 2011 versus the same timeframe last year, including eight new wholesalers from Russia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.  Additionally, registrations from the UK have already surpassed last year’s final UK numbers six weeks prior to the start of the conference.

“The numbers that we are seeing for Caribbean Marketplace 2011 illustrate that buyers are optimistic about business to the Caribbean region for the upcoming year and beyond,” said Josef Forstmayr, president of CHTA.  “With new wholesalers from Russia, United Kingdom, United States and Canada, there is clearly a growing interest in the Caribbean from markets all around the globe.”

“Our partners are eager to participate in the Caribbean’s preeminent marketing event as they, along with our member hotels, are positioning themselves for the increased demand expected for 2011,” noted Forstmayr.

Caribbean Marketplace 2011 will be held at the new Montego Bay Convention Centre from Jan. 16-18, 2011 and presented by CHTA, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA), the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), MasterCard and Virgin Holidays.  Caribbean Marketplace is the requisite business-to-business marketing event for the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry which follows the “All Tourism, All Caribbean, All Business” mantra throughout the entire program.  At Caribbean Marketplace, hoteliers meet, network, negotiate and conduct business with buyers from around the world.

With the growing number of buyers attending Caribbean Marketplace, CHTA anticipates an increase in pre-scheduled appointments between buyer and supplier companies.  Delegates can submit their appointment requests up until Friday, Dec. 10, 2010 at 5 pm via the CHTA website event page: http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/events-mp/event-MP-passport.php.

CHTA anticipates that Caribbean Marketplace 2011 will achieve an overall larger turnout than its 2010 predecessor.  Following is Caribbean Marketplace 2010 by the numbers:

·      Total delegates                 1,362
·      Supplier booths               402
·      Supplier delegates             847
·      Buyer delegates               268
·      Buyer companies               113
·      Pre-scheduled appointments   11,774

Registration

Wholesalers, tour operators, meeting planners and suppliers can register for Caribbean Marketplace via: http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/events-mp/event-mp-about.php.  Log-in codes for online registration have been sent to all previous participants.  Those who have not received a log-in code should contact CHTA at [email protected].

Buyer registration is $299 per person (after the third buyer delegate, the fee is reduced to $99 per additional delegate) and includes pre-scheduled appointments (if registration is received before Dec. 10, 2010), listing in the electronic Delegate Directory, two buffet lunches, opening cocktail reception, buffet dinner and entertainment at the Caribbean Night event, entrance to all business and social functions, and shuttle bus service between host hotels and the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Supplier participation at Caribbean Marketplace 2011 requires the purchase of a booth.  Delegate registration is $459 per person.  Booth rentals are priced as follows:

  * $630 per hotel for a small shared booth (two small hotels share 6 ft. x 8 ft. space) with one appointment schedule included (44 appointment slots)
  * $1,030 for a small booth (6 ft. x 8 ft. space) with one appointment schedule included (44 appointment slots)
  * $1,930 for a large booth (8 ft. x 8 ft.) with two appointment schedules included (88 appointment slots)
  * $2,230 for a mega booth (10 ft. x 8 ft.) with two appointment schedules included (88 appointment slots)

Hotel accommodations are NOT included in the registration fee for buyers or suppliers.  CHTA has arranged for special hotel rates for Caribbean Marketplace delegates at a number of hotels throughout Montego Bay.  The deadline for special hotel rates is Dec. 10, 2010.  For a complete list of host hotels and reservation procedures, visit: http://www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/events-mp/event-MP-where.php.

Conference Organizers & Sponsors

In addition to CHTA, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board, sponsors of Caribbean Marketplace 2011 include: host sponsors MasterCard and Virgin Holidays as well as American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, AMResorts, Caribbean Travel + Life, Choice Hotels International, Exposure4 Video Production, Forum Tel, Green Globe, IHG - InterContinental Hotels Group, Interval International, Starwood Caribbean Collection, Travelzoo, TripAdvisor, Tropical Shipping, Utell -Pegasus and World Travel Group.