SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (December 9, 2002) - The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in conjunction with Burba Hotel Network (BHN) will once again present the annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), April 1-3, 2003, at The Fairmont Southampton Hotel, in Hamilton, Bermuda. CHTIC has been designed to be a tripartite meeting between government, industry, and the investment community, with the specific objectives of improving the tourism investment and operating climate across the region; making the investment community aware of the development opportunities available in the Caribbean; and stimulating a continuing flow of both equity and loan capital into the region. In its seventh edition in 2003, the event has grown to become the most important annual event for those interested in investing in one of the world's most beautiful and exciting regions...the Caribbean.
     The CHTIC 2003 program was developed by a steering group representing the banking and investment communities, as well as the Caribbean hotel and public sectors, addressing a comprehensive range of key issues related to the investment climate in the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry. The agenda kicks off each day with plenary sessions that set the day's discussions:
     Economic & Tourism Outlook, The Capital Markets for Hotels & Tourism - What Are the Options and How Can the Region Compete?, and Competing Globally to Stimulate Tourism Investment. To maximize the interaction and networking value of the 3-day conference, CHTIC will present concurrent sessions, group discussions led by a moderator and a panel of experts. The preliminary program includes sessions that focus on topics that are vital to the Caribbean tourism industry. Delegates can choose to participate in the following breakout sessions:
     Assembling the Resort Development Team
     E-Commerce - Effective Strategies to Increase the Value of Your Investment
     Troubled Loans, Workouts and Bankruptcies
     Timeshare, Vacation Ownership and Fractional - What's All the Buzz and does it Work in Caribbean?
     Public/Private Deals - Case Studies and Lessons Learned
     Negotiating Effective Management Agreements - Including the Lenders' Perspective
     Legal and Operating Issues in the Mixed-Use Project
     Hotel Owner Issues / Strategies to Increase the Bottom Line
     Small Hotel Finance - Where Will the Money Come From?
     Strategies for Creating a Tourism Friendly Destination
     Developing the Mega Resort - How Are the Deals Getting Done?
     Successful Renovation / Repositioning Strategies
     Acquisitions Marketplace - What's for Sale?
     The conference closes with a plenary session entitled Heard on the Street - Media Wrap Up.
     In addition to the plenary and concurrent sessions, CHTIC 2003 will again feature the popular Meet the Opportunity presentations, where delegates will hear a brief synopsis of investment opportunities that exist throughout the region. Following the presentation, delegates will be able to meet with the developers to learn more about the opportunities available and have the chance to become more involved with the various projects.
     Registration for the CHTIC Conference includes entrance to all sessions, sponsored meals and social events. Early Bird Registration fees are available until January 31, 2003. Daily rates are available and hotel accommodations cost extra. To register for the conference, contact CHA's Meetings Management Department at telephone: 787-725-9139; fax: 787-725-9108; e-maiL