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BVI Chamber
of Commerce & Hotel Association Background
The original Hotel Association was started in the early
60’s by Charles and Betty Roy. Terry Ford, Albie
Stewart, Richard Batham of Marina Cay, Little Dix Bay
Resort, Peter Island Yacht Club and Fort Burt Hotel were
also prime movers in the formation of the Hotel Association.
It was out of the advent of bareboats, diving and the
expansion of Caribbean Sailing Yachts, CSY in the early
70’s, that the Hotel and Tourist Association was
organized and duly registered in 1969. In 1985 the name
was changed to the BVI Hotel and Commerce Association
and register under CAP 245 as a non-profit organization.
On February 18, 2000 the membership adopted a resolution
to change the name to BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel
Association.
Currently, CCHA has a membership
of 250 companies. The BVICCHA currently holds
membership in the Caribbean Hotel Association, Caribbean
Association of Industry & Commerce, International
Society of Meeting Planners and the US Chamber of Commerce.
In 1964-66, a Jr. Chamber of Commerce was established,
but it did not last. Also in 1966, Stanley Gordon, then
Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office,
reactivated the Tourist Board under the direction of Government.
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Hotel & Tourist was
an answer to Government’s call for a comprehensive
association to involve the charter boats. In the early
stages, the Hotel & Tourist Association had more impact
on advertising than the Government’s Tourist Board.
The budget from the private sector far out- weighed Government’s
input.
Restaurant membership
was established as the Association developed into the
BVI Hotel and Commerce Association. Clarence Christian
served as HCA’s first Chairman. Restaurants and
other tourist and non-tourist related businesses also
became members. Again, to meet government’s call,
HCA met the needs of a local Chamber of Commerce. HCA
was able to receive funding that was not available to
other organizations or to the Government.
Over the past few years HCA met with the Executive body
of the short-lived BVI Chamber of Commerce to discuss
officially adopting the functions of that organization.
This came to fruition at the end of 1999 and a resolution
to change the name to BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel
Association was voted in by the membership at the 2000
Annual General Meeting.
CCHA and the Government of the Virgin Islands have worked
hand-in-hand to find solutions to problems, issues and
potential situations that may be adverse to a good quality
of economic and social life in the BVI.
CCHA enjoys a healthy and productive relationship with
various governmental and non-governmental agencies. |
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A few of
the co-activities with the BVI Government have been as
follows:
• At the request of the
Customs Department, we provided a forum for the business
community to come together and have an orientation program
for the new customs computerized declaration forms and
procedures;
• At the request of the Town
and Country Planning Office, HCA is providing a community
forum for the discussion of the country study on and suggestions
for new legislation to implement the appropriate legislation;
• We have been asked to review legislation on Customs,
Conservation, Ports, Tourism and other areas, to give
feed back to the government prior to the finalization
of legislation. We have also been asked to give assistance
in implementing such legislation. Currently we are specifically
reviewing the Noise Abatement, Consumer Protection, Safety
at Sea and Informatics draft legislation as well as review
the proposed Advertisement Policy.
• We
have membership on the newly formed Sustainable Development
Council which is part of the Capacity 21 initiative. We
are a member of the Human Settlements development working
group organized through the Town and Planning Office.
• Our members have been invited to sit, and
are currently sitting on various boards such as the Police
Advisory Committee, Hotel Industry Standards Committee,
BVI Tourist Board projects, Ministry of Health Education
and Welfare’s Scholarship Committee and the Five
Year Educational Plan Committee, BVI Tourism Strategic
Plan Advisory Council.
Works hand in hand with the Architect’s and Engineer’s
Association, Association of Registered Agents, Rotary,
Lion’s Club and other non-governmental and community
based organizations. |
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We offer
all managers and employees of our member organizations:
• Product and service discounts at local stores
• Discounts for participation in the training
programmes
• Discounts for hotel stays in the
Caribbean and US.
• Monthly luncheon with speakers
on topical issues
• Training Programmes
We offer all businesses:
• Marketing opportunities
• A quarterly Trade Bulletin
• Inquires
from those seeking their services
• An industry
sensitive lobby voice
• Internet access
• Membership Directory
A professional organization recognized by the Virgin Islands
Government, foreign trade commissions, Chamber of Commerce
from around the world:
• Professional groups
• Resources Information
• Recruitment
assistance
• Linkages with regional organizations
such as Organization of
• Eastern Caribbean
States, OECS.
Discounts on product/services or exclusive representation
through strategic alliances with Caribbean Publishing
Co. and American Express.
Industry meetings to discuss topical issues - regional
and international and additional services.
An
Investment in the BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel
Association is an Investment in The Present and Future
of the BVI. |
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