Donna Wellington presents a token of appreciation to one of the participants at the CHTIC Conference.
FirstCaribbean and the CHTA
By Fay BrandonTowards greater synergies…
When FirstCaribbean International Bank entered into partnership with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association five years ago, we wanted to express in a definitive way our commitment to the industry that continues to be the engine of our region’s future growth and development.
As the leading pan-Caribbean Bank, we have crafted a vision that mandates us to be unwaveringly dedicated to forming strong partnerships with the communities and nations across our region.
Back then, FirstCaribbean recognized that this alliance represented a bold shifting of focus from traditional areas. However, this meant that we understood the increasing significance of the industry to our regional economies and were enthusiastic that we could leverage our experience and expertise in corporate banking and finance to further benefit the industry.
Presentation to Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Educational Fund (CHTAEF) Scholarship Partners.
From Left to Right: Fred Pierre-Louis (Le Plaza Hotel, Haiti), David Gilbert (Interval International), Richard Doumeng (CHTAEF Board of Trustee and CHTA 1st Vice President), Mark Young (Managing Director, Corporate Banking), and Enrique De Marchena Kaluche (President, CHTA)
Five years later, FirstCaribbean International Bank and the CHTA have continued to work side by side to ensure the industry’s success.
At FirstCaribbean, we have placed specific emphasis on increasing client value and enhancing customer relationships throughout the business. Within Corporate Banking we have leveraged our expertise to give guidance to potential investors. This means the allocation of dedicated resources to serve their needs. We have a team of Industry Specialists that cover the region and our Hospitality Industry Specialists to meet with investors and advisors. In most of our jurisdictions, our Country Heads share dual responsibility for heading corporate banking teams within country and this lends itself to increased dialogue with potential investors and increased investment opportunities. We have also re-engineered our International Corporate Wealth offering to provide dedicated specialists to this sector.
FirstCaribbean’s unwavering support is also seen through its continued role as Patron sponsor of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC). Through opportunities such as these the bank is greater positioned to understand the needs of the industry and is afforded the opportunity of reciprocal sharing of ideas and future plans for the sector.
FirstCaribbean’s Relationship Manager and Sector Specialist, Real Estate & Hospitality, Donna Wellington among panelists at the session - Successful Development Strategies for Independent Hotels
Left to Right: Richard Davis (Shareholder, Greensberg Traurig), Mark Hartman (Executive Director, Flying Teeth), Wilhelm Sack (Owner, Horned Dorset Primavera)
It cannot be overstated that FirstCaribbean International remains committed to supporting activities that benefit the tourism industry and consequently, aid the development of our region’s economy.
This is why we have invested, over the past three years, in the development of the careers of those persons seeking further educational opportunities in the hotel industry. To date, we have invested over US$30,000 in funding for scholarships to those persons who have shown immense potential and commitment to the development of the region.
Just recently, we awarded three young persons with great academic potential, scholarships totaling US$10, 000 in their quest to contribute to the wider tourism product and, ultimately, the region’s advancement. There are even more brilliant minds waiting to be unearthed and supported in our region and we wish these young scholars success intheir academic programmes.
We value the linkages we have made through our strategic partnership with the CHTA, and we remain committed to supporting their activities.
