A visionary and creative small hotelier in Jamaica believes the Caribbean Marketplace travel trade convention is a unique opportunity to highlight the contribution of the region’s smaller hotels and resorts to the international draw of the Caribbean.

Dr. Paul Rhodes, who runs the Great Huts eco-themed property in Port Antonio, said the hundreds of travel and tourism movers and shakers visiting Jamaica for the convention offered “the face of the Caribbean – we smaller hotels” a rare chance to share unique stories about the appeal of a “down-home” hospitality experience.

“We in the smaller hotels offer what customers are yearning to experience when they travel to the Caribbean on vacation – human interaction and cultural connections,” said Dr. Rhodes, a medical practitioner-turned resort owner and community volunteer.

Dr. Rhodes believes Jamaica and the Caribbean’s smaller hotels are part and parcel of the people-to-people experience for which many Caribbean countries have become renowned.

“Our staff have chosen careers in this industry to learn from our guests, to share our indigenous culture and music, our amazing cuisine, but more importantly, to make new friends and share the warmth of the Caribbean,” said the hotelier whose property sits within a stone’s throw of Port Antonio’s Boston Bay.

Rhodes congratulated the Jamaican government and the private sector for their tireless efforts to open the brand new Montego Bay Convention Centre in time for Caribbean Marketplace which is expected to host more than 1,300 members of the travel and tourism trade.

Caribbean Marketplace opens on Sunday, January 16 and culminates with a Jamaican musical extravaganza on Tuesday, January 18, 2011.