From Antigua to Jamaica, some of the Caribbean’s most admired hotels and tourism groups were in the spotlight this weekend as the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) rolled out the winners of its 2025 Caribbean Hotel Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) Awards.
The annual gathering, held in Barbados from November 16–18, opened with a showcase of standout projects that are reshaping how the region thinks about sustainability, community investment, technology and hospitality service.
This year’s finalists came from 12 destinations, reflecting the breadth of talent and the evolving priorities shaping Caribbean tourism.
In the sustainability category, Curtain Bluff in Antigua took top honors for its long-standing, holistic approach to environmental management. The resort’s efforts include advanced water systems, energy-efficient operations, waste reduction and extensive community involvement — all backed by more than a decade of Green Globe Platinum Certification.
Jamaica also earned strong recognition. Half Moon received the award for People (Staff) Development and Support, praised for its wide-ranging employee strategy that features wellness programs, dedicated learning platforms and tech-enhanced training to maintain its Forbes-rated service standards. Rockhouse Hotel (through its charitable arm, the Rockhouse Foundation) was celebrated for its US$11 million investment in rebuilding public schools, expanding inclusive education and supporting community programs throughout Westmoreland Parish.
In Aruba, Boardwalk Hotel earned the Innovative Sales and Marketing award for its “Slow Summer” campaign, which reframed the low season as a time for mindful, wellness-focused travel. The initiative boosted occupancy and engagement while deepening local partnerships.
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands secured the Tech Transformation award for overhauling its digital strategy. The resort shifted away from reliance on online travel agencies by improving direct booking tools, enhancing responsiveness and strengthening guest-centered online communication.
CHTA President Sanovnik Destang said the honorees reflect the region’s continued push toward resilience and purpose-driven tourism, especially as climate change intensifies pressures on island destinations. “The CHIEF Awards shine a light on the creativity, innovation and heart that define Caribbean hospitality,” he said. “This year’s winners demonstrate how our region continues to lead with purpose, with people and with resilience. At a time when climate change is profoundly affecting Caribbean communities, including our brothers and sisters in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, these best practices remind us that sustainable, inclusive tourism is not just our future, it’s our responsibility.”
