Video: Emil Lee, general manager of Princess Heights Hotel, St. Maarten, has taken over the reins as president of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association.

He will hold the position for the next two years and has vowed to strengthen the National Hotel Associations around the Caribbean community to help grow tourism to the region.

In his inaugural address to the organisation he also vowed to continue to build on the foundation that his predecessor, Richard Doumeng, built over the past two years.

Recognising Jeff Vasser as the organisations new chief executive, Lee also said the CHTA had become a more efficient, energised, transparent, fiscally responsible, and proactive association in recent years.

In one of the most tourism dependant regions in the world, this was essential, he added.

Watch Lee’s inaugural address here: