CHICOS: The Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit

The 2024 edition of the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) brought over 300 attendees to the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle All-inclusive Resort for several days of networking and industry insights from key stakeholders in the region. Thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, providers, and attendees! This article provides the major takeaways from this year’s conference.

CHICOS 2024 had an incredible panel discussion featuring visionary government leaders from across the Caribbean, all united by a shared commitment to accelerating growth in the region’s hospitality sector. The insights shared by these leaders were truly inspiring. From discussing the importance of sustainable tourism and attracting investment, to fostering innovation and creating a resilient, inclusive workforce, their dedication to the long-term success of Caribbean hospitality was clear. At its core, CHICOS is not just about dialogue—it is about action. With a strong focus on regional collaboration, the conference aimed to highlight the collective potential of the Caribbean hospitality sector, while addressing the unique challenges we face. It’s a reminder that when we work together, we can truly thrive as One Caribbean. HVS Parris Jordan #hoteldevelopment #chicos2024 #tourism #caribbean

Kristina D'Amico presented on the most recent trends and added her insights into what is happening in the Caribbean. She is proving to be one of the leading experts on hotel development in the region!

We’ve just wrapped up an incredible and successful Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference in Barbados, and what an exciting event it was! 🏝️ The island provided the perfect backdrop for nearly 300 industry leaders, investors, and hospitality experts to come together for insightful discussions and networking. The conference featured top-tier speakers who shared invaluable knowledge on the latest trends in hospitality, sustainability in hotel development, and emerging investment opportunities. 🏨💼 From cutting-edge innovations to practical strategies for navigating a rapidly evolving industry, this event was packed with takeaways that will undoubtedly shape the future of hotel investment in the Caribbean and beyond. We would like to thank Honorable Chad Blackman, Senator and Minister of Economic Affairs and Investments of Barbados for welcoming our delegates and providing many reasons to return to Barbados. HVS Parris Jordan Nicole Roantree, LEED AP

Get the latest Caribbean Insights at CHICOS next week! "The increasing visitor numbers in the Caribbean region bode well for a vibrant future in the market, with many opportunities for growth and investment. Eight island nations recorded double-digit growth in visitation over the same period in 2023. The new supply pipeline is also highly promising, driven by sustained tourism growth and strategic development from the major hotel brands. It is exciting to see so many new hotels scheduled to open in 2025, several in emerging destinations throughout the region!" – Kristina D'Amico, HVS Managing Director and Caribbean Leader, as well as CHICOS 2024 presenter. Take a look back at last year's event to see what to expect. HVS Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. John Lancet, MAI Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle All-inclusive Resort #hospitality #caribbean #tourism #hoteldevelopment #investment #chicos2024

As we put the finishing touches on the program for CHICOS, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has supported this event and the Caribbean region. Don't miss out on the conversations that will be had and the deals that will get done in Barbados next week. Our colleagues at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle All-inclusive Resort are ready to welcome you! Don't let the sun set on this opportunity to network with hospitality executives throughout the region. Your next deal is waiting! Further details can be found on the conference website, including the full program of events and agenda. There is still time to register! https://lnkd.in/gZ_DxfV

In just two weeks we will be kicking off CHICOS 2024 in the new state-of-the-art meeting space at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle All-inclusive Resort. There's still time to register and join the movers and shakers of the Caribbean hospitality industry. The event will be full of networking, presentations highlighting the latest data and trends, and lively discussions on where experts are seeing the latest opportunities. Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. will be sharing key investment projects in Barbados, along with showcasing the local culture and hospitality. Parris Jordan Kristina D'Amico HVS #chicos2024 #hoteldevelopment #tourism #hotelinvestment

Kristina D'Amico, HVS Managing Director and Caribbean Leader, will be presenting at this year's CHICOS event. Here, she summarizes her latest regional observations: "Per STR's year-to-date data through September, the upper-upscale and luxury Caribbean hotels continue to ‘Ride the Wave’ and have shown growth in all performance metrics. This class of hotels in the region illustrated a year-to-date RevPAR increase of 7.5% over the same period in 2023 and a nearly 45% increase over the same period of 2019. In fact, the year-to-date period of 2024 registered the highest occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR levels on record! Moreover, air arrivals to the Caribbean region year-to-date are approximately 8% higher than the same period in 2023. It is also an exciting time to be having this event in Barbados, as stopover visitation to the island is up 14.5% for the year-to-date period, compared to the same time frame in 2023. RevPAR for the country is also exhibiting strong growth, with a 10% increase year-to-date." The 2024 Caribbean Hotel Investment Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS), will take place November 13–15 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle All-inclusive Resort. Co-hosts, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. have helped curate an exceptional program and opportunities to tour development sites prior to the event. Come join us at CHICOS to learn more about the latest trends in the region and hear perspectives from key stakeholders. Further details can be found on the conference website, including the full program of events and agenda. https://lnkd.in/gZ_DxfV Parris Jordan #chicos2024 #hospitality #hoteldevelopment #tourism #caribbean

As we finalize the program for our annual gathering, we want to express our gratitude to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for your unwavering support over the past thirteen years. This event wouldn't be possible without your involvement and contributions. Our main focus is the development of the Caribbean region, and we are committed to this mission, even in the face of challenges. We eagerly anticipate "Riding the Wave" with you in Barbados in just a few weeks. Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. is the host of the 2024 Caribbean Hotel Investment Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS), taking place November 13–15 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle All-inclusive Resort. Hosting the event will provide significant benefits for the hotel sector and the economy in Barbados. Further details can be found on the conference website, including the full program of events and agenda. https://lnkd.in/gZ_DxfV Parris Jordan Kristina D'Amico HVS #chicos2024

Just one month to go till CHICOS: The Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit in Barbados! I look forward to seeing all my Caribbean colleagues and discussing the latest and greatest in the region. There is still time to register at the conference website to join us! https://lnkd.in/evmDuJTe HVS #caribbean #investment #hotels #resorts #conferences #networking