CHA Honours European Travel
Partners At Crystal Palm Awards

LONDON, UK- The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) honoured its European travel industry partners by presenting them with the "Crystal Palm Awards for Excellence" at a black-tie champagne reception and dinner at the Savoy Hotel, London, just prior to the opening of the 2000 World Travel Market in November.
Four companies, one national tourist office and one individual were awarded the highest marketing honour presented by CHA. Some of the illustrious winners include European tour operator - Dertour, British Airways, Virgin Holidays and Norman Brunskill, the managing director of Caribtours.
Over the years, Dertour has established for itself a dominant position in the distribution chain to several Caribbean countries. The company is renown for its credible business practices and has maintained a leading position in the rapidly changing travel market.  Dertour successfully developed its marketing position through integration and expansion to become one of the leaders in the European travel sector.
British Airways, which is the European Airline to receive this year's award, was the first European carrier to service the Caribbean when they commenced operations in the 1940's.
British Airways also helped to develop the regional air routes, which were the foundation for the current regional service. Using a combination of scheduled and charter services over the years, the airline has maintained its competitive position and has been a valuable corporate partner to the region. British Airways maintains an extensive operation to the Caribbean serving more than 10 islands.
United Kingdom tour operator, Virgin Holidays also received an award. The company has been featuring vacations to the Caribbean since 1998 and has quickly established itself as a leading and innovative player in the marketplace.
With a wide range of products and services promoting 10 Caribbean destinations, Virgin Holidays offers a vast array of vacation options to hotels from mid-range to luxury all-inclusive.
Virgin Holidays is well known for the unique services afforded to its premium clientele. In 2000, Virgin Holidays will deliver over 25,000 customers to the Caribbean region.
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Norman Brunskill, managing director of Caribtours has been awarded the Crystal Palm Outstanding Individual Award from the CHA.
In 1978, Brunskill established Caribtours, which is today a major operator to the Caribbean promoting luxury travel. His previous positions include managing Rankin Kuhn's long-haul holiday program, business development for Lunn Poly and manager of the Newcastle Travel Agency of Sir Henry Nunn. Brunskill is revered for maintaining high standards and his loyalty to the Caribbean region.
The Government of Aruba received the Most Supportive Caribbean Government Award for 2000. Both Aruba's government and hotel association have established a joint marketing and promotion fund in which the government allows a percentage of the room tax to be passed to the hotel association. This concept is something that CHA would like to see other Caribbean governments undertake in order to market the Caribbean more effectively. In addition to marketing, Aruba's accomplishments encompass other areas.
Since 1985, Aruba has experienced an average annual increase in tourist arrivals of more than 10 percent. Aruba has been able to increase scheduled service by major U.S. airlines combined with a balance of charter service. There is also strong air links from Europe, Latin America and within the Caribbean. In 1998, Aruba took in US$715 million in gross receipts Ñ an average increase of 17 percent per year over the last 10 years. The island also averages a year-round hotel occupancy of approximately 78 percent.
In attendance at the black-tie reception were delegates from major supplier companies in the United Kingdom and Europe along with European and North American trade and consumer press. Many CHA hotel and allied members as well as Caribbean Tourism Organization ministers and directors of tourism were also on-hand for the celebrations.