Saint Lucia’s popularity as a conference location is growing, having just notched up an important regional Caribbean gathering.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s new Caribbean Boutique and Intimate Hotel Conference will book into Saint Lucia from October 13-15, 2011.

Senator Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, announced the island nation was delighted to host the first revised edition of the former Small Hotels Retreat.

“This important conference spotlights the essence of what the region’s small hotels are famous for globally - boutique, intimate, lovely, luxury and legendary,” stated Chastanet.

To make maximum use of Saint Lucia’s stunning physical beauty, the three-day conference will be held at the newly renovated Rodney Bay Marina in the north as well as a location to be confirmed in the old colonial southern town of Soufrière.

“Having hosted CHTA’s 2009 Caribbean Marketplace meeting seamlessly and in the Caribbean spirit of excellence, we are delighted to return to Saint Lucia to produce another incredible event,” said Alec Sanguinetti, Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

It will be an important gathering as owners and managers of the finest Caribbean boutique hotels and intimate properties assemble to learn about the latest trends in this unique and ‘quintessential Caribbean’ market segment.

The event is open only to CHTA members and will feature a trade show component for allied members who comprise a constituency of key decision makers in the Caribbean tourism industry.