USVIHTA

Update

September 11, 2026

Association Updates

ServSafe Certification Oct. 22-23 - Limited Seats

The St. Thomas – St. John Hotel & Tourism Association, in partnership with the University of Puerto Rico at Carolina, is pleased to offer FREE ServSafe Manager Certification and FSMA Food Safety Training for hospitality and foodservice members. The eight-hour training will cover essential food-safety practices, FSMA requirements and food traceability, followed by the two-hour proctored ServSafe Manager certification exam. Training will be offered on St. Thomas Oct. 22–23 at Westin Resort and Spa at Frenchman’s Reef.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS OCT. 2.

PARTICIPANTS MUST:

BRING A LAPTOP TO THE EXAM SESSION (NOT FOR THE TRAINING SESSION) Cell phones, recording glasses, personal computers & iPads are not permitted during the exam
Register in advance and provide their full name and a valid email address.
Create or verify an individual ServSafe account before the certification exam.
Review the training materials and practice exam questions that will be provided before the course.
Confirm their exam language preference and any reasonable accommodation needs in advance.
Attend the eight-hour ServSafe Manager/FSMA training and then participate in a scheduled two-hour proctored ServSafe Manager certification exam.
Follow exam-security requirements.

Support the USVI Culinary Team as they Compete in Barbados this November!

We are pleased to announce CHTA’s Taste of the Caribbean event will be held Nov. 16 – 19 in Barbados. For 15 years, the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association has sponsored the USVI Culinary Team, a group of professionally trained chefs who represent our islands at the annual Taste of the Caribbean Competition. The team, comprised of an executive chef, a pastry artist, bartender and junior chef, match their epicurean skills against other teams from the region in a quest for culinary superiority. Last year granted us an opportunity to reform our team and restructure our approach after a long hiatus. Now, in 2026, we're ready to claim our place in the spotlight and show the Caribbean our growth and resilience! Visit chtataste.com for more information on the competition. The team could not compete without the support of generous benefactors. Sponsors assist the team with travel and accommodation expenses, team jackets, fundraising events and competition supplies. The level of sponsorship is outlined below with benefits. If I can answer any questions don’t hesitate to contact me at 340-690-1635 or email lisa@usvihta.com.

Sponsorship tiers

Regional Updates

Guyana President Irfaan Ali to Keynote CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in October

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, president of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, will deliver the keynote address at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026, placing the future of Caribbean tourism within the wider regional conversation on economic transformation, resilience, innovation and inclusive growth. Set for Georgetown, Guyana, Oct. 5–9, SOTIC 2026 will be held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” President Ali’s keynote will help frame the conference conversation around how Caribbean destinations can harness innovation and technology, strengthen environmental and economic resilience, and ensure that tourism growth creates meaningful opportunities for communities across the region.

CHTA Opens Nominations for the 2026 CHIEF Awards, Honoring Excellence Across the Caribbean Hospitality Industry

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association announced that nominations are open for the 2026 CHIEF Awards, a program that recognizes member organizations delivering meaningful results and best practices that benefit the wider Caribbean hospitality and tourism sector. Winners will be celebrated at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), taking place Nov. 16-18, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord's Castle Resort. CHTA members may submit nominations across six categories this year, including the new Guest Experience Excellence category, which recognizes the importance of continually enhancing the guest journey and responding to evolving traveler expectations. The categories are: Environmental Sustainability; Sales & Marketing; People Development & Support; Social Responsibility; Tech Transformation; Guest Experience Excellence (new).

As a valued CHTA Compliance Destination, our members are eligible to receive 10% off CHIEF registration by using the discount code: COMPLIANCE10. When accessing registration, the voucher code chief@bgi26 is used to gain access to the member registration site and unlock the member registration rates. Register now.