DHTA holds 52nd Annual General Meeting, Supporting Members and Tourism

DHTA 29th July, 2021

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The Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) hosted its 52nd annual general meeting on Tuesday, July 27 at the Fort Young Hotel Waterfall Room, under the theme ‘Meeting the Members Expectations’

CEO of the Dominica Air & Sea Ports Authority and Chairperson of the Discover Dominica Board of Directors, Mr. Benoit Bardouille in his address to the meeting’s open session highlighted efforts being undertaken by the Government and Ministry of Tourism for tourism recovery as borders reopen, including new flights from Caribbean Airlines and the direct flight from Miami carded for December. The keynote address was delivered by Acting CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association CHTA, Mrs. Vanessa Ledesma-Berrios. The key messages of her address were to the Board of Directors on steps the association can take to meet and exceed member expectations. She urged the board to be purpose-driven, and data-driven, in its support and advocate for the membership as we focus of tourism’s recovery in the coming months and years. She commended Dominica’s efforts as the island maintains low COVID 19 cases and incidences of transmission.

The membership elected the new Board of Directors to join President Hans Schilders, whose term continues through July 2022.

Mr. Schilders presented the priority pillars for the new board to continue supporting DHTA members with the COVID-19 pandemic still a major factor. The board will not only advocate with traditional partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Discover Dominica, and DASPA, but also seek out new partners or “Friends of the DHTA” to drive the efforts of More Business, Better Business, Sustainable Business for the membership.

The coming year will be one driven by member-oriented activities using traditional and digital avenues to rebuild a more robust and vibrant tourism sector. The new board will meet in the coming weeks to fine tune the 2021/22 strategic plan.

The 2021/22 Board of Directors of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association includes:

Hans Schilders – President – Hotel The Champs
Avril Coipel – 1st Vice President and President-Elect – Rosalie Bay Eco Resort and Spa
Elijah Leblanc – Director of Finance – EJL Accounting Services Inc.
Herve Nizard – Director of Accommodation – Citrus Creek Plantation
Monique Jacob – Director of Public Relations – eMAJine Business & Marketing Solutions
David Thornhill – Director of Membership – David Thornhill Consultancy and Training
Alice James – Director of Tourism Service – Island Car Rentals
Cynthia Talbert– Director of Related Services – Cabrits Resort and Spa, Kempinski
Marvlyn Alexander James – Immediate Past President – Fort Young Hotel
Colin Piper – Discover Dominica Authority