Key players from across the region have been in attendance at the 15th annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Nearly 400 delegates joined the debate, with representatives from over 23 Caribbean countries, the United States and United Kingdom all on hand to discuss the future of the industry.

Under the guidance of hosts Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, the event is now considered the region’s most successful and longest-standing tourism investment conference.

CHTA chairman, Josef Forstmayr was among the key speakers this year, offering delegates his thoughts on the development of the Caribbean tourism sector.

“Tourism is Key remains our top priority in urging the citizens and governments of all Caribbean nations to recognize tourism as the number one industry generating jobs in the region,” he said.

“For the Caribbean it will be crucial that our governments embrace the economic importance of the tourism industry as a major generator of jobs.”

Forstmayr was also on hand for the presentation of a Special Appreciation Award to Interval International earlier in the conference.

The award is designed to honour the contribution made to the region by the company as it celebrates 35 years of leadership in the vacation ownership industry.

Craig Nash, chairman, Interval Leisure Group, said: “It has been an honor to work with the association to educate its members and future industry professionals about the pivotal role that vacation ownership plays in the region’s hospitality sector.

“Interval particularly appreciates how important the Caribbean is to the success of vacation ownership since it holds enormous appeal to our members.

“We thank CHTA for this recognition and look forward to our continued collaboration.”

Josef Forstmayr was among the key speakers at the 15th annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica

City.Mobi

Among the key sponsors for the event was World Travel Group, which was presenting its latest City.Mobi offering.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain.

MontegoBay.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers – while Kingston.Mobi also allowed delegates to explore the capital of Jamaica.

Most City.Mobi entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.

World Travel Awards will return to Jamaica in September

World Travel Awards

With the close of the 15th annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference earlier, thoughts are now turning to the next headline event in Jamaica.

World Travel Awards is among the most exciting prospects, with the industry leading event scheduled to arrive in Montego Bay on October 7th this year.

Hosted by Sandals, the event will welcome the elite from the Jamaican, Caribbean and North American travel industry.

Previous winners have included Sandals themselves, the Jamaica/a>, Half Moon, Montego Bay and Round Hill Hotel & Villas.

Breaking Travel News will be reporting from the event, so check back in September for the latest news.

Pictured left to right: Nicholas Simmonds, managing director, GoldenEye Hotel & Resort, is joined by Graham Cooke, president of World Travel Awards and Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, to celebrate the title of “Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Villa”

Goldeneye

Finally, one other name has been causing a stir in Jamaica of late – Goldeneye.

Again recognised by the World Travel Awards as the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Villa, the property relaunched in 2010 and instantly took its place among the Caribbean elite.

For the delight of those wanting to experience Bond-type of Jamaica holidays, the fully refurbished GoldenEye – former home to James Bond author Ian Fleming – has fastidiously preserved the original Fleming House and its five surrounding cottages with the addition of 11 new bright and airy beach or lagoon cottages and two bedroom beach cottages, six lagoon suites, two new restaurants and a seawater infinity pool.

A world of luxury to be sure, but guests can visit the property to test its claims to be the best in the business without even leaving their seat.

Virtual World Internet has created a world-class virtual tour of the property, allowing guests to try-before-they-buy! Check it out here.