P.R. to host Caribbean Hotel investment summit in Nov.
Puerto Rico will host the 5th edition of Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operation Summit, considered the region’s most important hospitality and tourism event, on Nov. 12-13, organizers and local government officials announced Tuesday.
The event, known as CHICOS, will take place at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Isla Verde, where more than 300 regional and international investors and operators and industry leaders are expected to convene.
In addition to learning more about the new trends, opportunities and incentives to invest in the Caribbean region, participants will have be able to network with government representatives, developers, bankers, investors, executives of hotel chains, consultants, architects, designers and other private institutions that are also expected to be in attendance.
“Tourism is the sector that has gained the greatest momentum in recent months on the island, marking a growth trend that will continue with new projects under development,” said Economic Development Secretary Alberto Bacó.
“The opportunity to gather key sector figures at an international level will allow us to continue to market all that we offer to continue promoting that growth,” he said.
Among the topics to be discussed at the conference are: investment opportunities; incentives and types of financing available; strategies to improve a destination’s competitiveness; successful project models; management and sustainable development in the Caribbean; and, planning and strategies by different governments in the region to facilitate investment in their jurisdictions.
“International investors participating in our conference are key decision-makers who will have the opportunity to see first hand and explore Puerto Rico’s potential,” said Parris Jordan, organizer of the CHICOS event.
“The sound development of the tourism industry in recent years is of particular interest to the global investment community. CHICOS provides the platform to inform about the opportunities in the Caribbean, which is why Puerto Rico has an advantage by being on its own turf,” Jordan added.
CHICOS is organized by HVS, a consulting and valuations organization on issues such as investment banking, hotel management, gaming industry services, sports and entertainment conventions, shared ownership, sustainability and professional development for the hotel and tourism industry.
The event also has the support of the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association and the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
“Tourism should serve the cornerstone of Puerto Rico’s economic recovery. But to achieve this, the island needs new and modern tourism infrastructure,” said Federico Stubbe, president of PRISA Group, a local development company. “The CHICOS conference allows us tell the world about the opportunities that Puerto Rico has to offer in this segment.”