Chairman of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), Barbadian Ralph Taylor, has been accorded the prestigious recognition as “Caribbean Tourism Media Personality of the year”.
CMEx, the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism, at its 5th Forum over the weekend, cited the hotelier, as the individual in Caribbean tourism who exemplifies the term “media-friendly”.Taylor, who also is Chairman & Managing Director of Barbados’ premier
all-inclusive chain Almond Resorts, was recognised for his commitment to strengthening the relationship between Caribbean tourism and the media. CMEx also highlighted Taylor’s accessibility to the media and his sincerity in dealing with media matters.“I am honoured to be recognised by CMEx” said Taylor, who also was credited by the organisers for his strides in uniting the Caribbean’s private and
public sector to market the region as a single destination as chair of
CHA’s Charitable Trust.Taylor said it is time for Caribbean hoteliers to fully integrate the media in the development of tourism policies and programmes. “The media and tourism stakeholders, need to look at the future together, if our relationship is to flourish. Collectively, we must seek to create the right environment, that would enhance tourism-community linkages, and ultimately, stimulate entrepreneurship.”He stressed that “what we in tourism need to do, is to help you in the media develop programs, that present a fair and balanced picture of opportunities, threats, challenges and benefits for all in tourism.“Lelei LeLaulu, president of Counterpart International and producers of the biannual event, said Ralph Taylor “personifies the spirit of the Caribbean” and his success as a world class Barbadian, Caribbean and international hotelier will inspire the region’s youth of today and tomorrow.CMEx is a biannual gathering of leading journalists and editors from the Caribbean as well as Europe and North America in an environment which encourages the lively exchange of ideas between movers and shakers.

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