The Caribbean hospitality industry will say ‘thank you’ to the European travel trade with a unique Caribbean evening to kick off World Travel Market in London. The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) will celebrate once again its traditional Crystal Palm Awards of Excellence to honour the Caribbean’s tourism partners in Europe that have supported the efforts of the CHA and its hotels.ÊThe awards gala dinner will take place Saturday, November 6, 2004, at the Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel.

“In 2004, the Caribbean tourism industry has surpassed even the growth of 2000, a benchmark year for our industry,” said Alec Sanguinetti, director general and CEO of CHA. “The Crystal Palm Awards will honor those people and organisations that have played a major role in our revival,” he added.

For the occasion, 2004 Caribbean Chef of the Year John Hazzard, from Barbados, will cook a four-course menu devised specially for the evening, to showcase Contemporary Caribbean Cuisine.

“Caribbean cuisine is a true representation of the cultural mélange that distinguishes our diverse region; it is also an integral component of the Caribbean tourism experience,” said CHA President Berthia Parle, MBE.

“There is no better way to honour our travel partners than to treat them to the best of Caribbean hospitality and show them that the Caribbean is open for business,” concluded Parle.

In addition, the event will see the launching of the inaugural annual UK-edition of The Caribbean Gold Book, the travel agents’ most comprehensive reference source for the lodging industry in the region.

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