St. Maarten – The Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) has congratulated Past President Emil Lee for his leadership as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and wishes him success in his newly appointed post as Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor for the Government of St. Maarten. Lee stepped down from the CHTA Presidency last week after 17 months at the helm and having served for over ten years on the organization’s Board of Directors.
CSHAE President Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, who also serves as Executive Director for the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, applauded Lee for his leadership with CHTA, in particular for recognizing the essential role which the region’s national hotel and tourism associations play in support of the Caribbean’s leading industry.
“Throughout his tenure President Lee reinforced the value of the relationship between the region’s hotel and tourism associations and CHTA. By strengthening these ties, and sharing data, information, and best practices amongst one-another, both the destinations and the region become stronger advocates for the tourism industry locally and regionally” according to Gumbs-Samuel. “We are grateful for his leadership and wish him success in his new role,” she added.
Lee has advanced a ‘hub and spoke’ concept, whereby all the destination associations are connected through CHTA, and there is a constant two-way flow of information and resources to address the multiple challenges which the destinations and the region face.
With Lee’s resignation, CHTA’s First Vice President Karolin Troubetzkoy automatically assumed the post as Acting President.
“Looking ahead, CHTA is in good hands. Ms. Troubetzkoy is no stranger to national hotel and tourism associations, having served at President of the St. Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association and on the leadership team at CHTA,” states Gumbs-Samuel. “We look forward to working with her as we build upon the strong foundation which has been established.”
Gumbs-Samuel has served as the volunteer President of CSHAE for two years and has worked closely with CHTA and President Lee during that time. In addition to strengthening the exchange of information among destination associations, CSHAE has provided professional development opportunities for the region’s association executives through an arrangement with the American Society of Association Executives.
Congrats for Emil Lee
