The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) says seasoned hotel industry professional, Stacy Cox, is the new president of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE).
CHTA said on Monday that Cox was appointed to the leadership position during board meetings that preceded CHTA annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace event in The Bahamas.
CSHAE is an independent organization aimed at advancing professional development and strengthening networking among Caribbean hotel and tourism association executives, CHTA said.
Cox, who has served as the executive director of The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) since September 2011, is a native of the Bahamas and a citizen of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
She has amassed more than 20 years of hospitality experience in both destinations, CHTA said.
As executive director, she represents the membership of TCHTA on matters affecting the tourism and hospitality industry, both locally and internationally, including advocacy issues and marketing initiatives, “which help build a sustainable tourism product through awareness, outreach and educational programs.”
“To be elected by my counterparts throughout the Caribbean for such a role speaks volumes and I am truly honored,” said Cox, who promised she will not take the role lightly.
She said she looks forward to continuing her advocacy efforts for local members, while “taking our collective voice to CHTA, with the hope of having our issues addressed at the top of the regional association’s agenda.”
“It is a blessing to have Stacy in this leadership role,” said CHTA’s director general and chief executive officer Frank Comito. “She has been a model member of this group for several years, and we always look forward to her wise counsel and enthusiastic, solutions-driven approach to addressing challenges for our members.
“She leads by example and has done outstanding work in her role with the TCHTA,” he added.
CHTA said Cox began her hospitality career as an activity coordinator in 1991 at what is now the world-famous Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, and quickly moved her way up the ranks, receiving the coveted “Cacique” award prior to leaving her island home.
In 1997, she moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where she held general manager positions at Windsong Resort and Royal West Indies Resort.
The hospitality professional is committed to the advancement of the tourism industry and believes that education and awareness of opportunities within the sector are critical in the region, CHTA said.
“One of my first tasks as president of CSHAE is to meet with the team to determine how we can better raise the profile of the Society and to identify networking and developmental opportunities for all Associations,” she said.
CHTA said Cox volunteers her time to organizations and events such as Youth Explosion, Maskanoo, TCI Shines Clean-up Campaign and TCI Little Chefs.
She has also served on various executive boards, including TCHTA, Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Turks and Caicos Animal Welfare Committee, CHTA, CSHAE, Junior Achievement Turks & Caicos Islands, and The Salvation Army.
An advocate of continuing education, CHTA said Cox has furthered her own professional development through online courses at Cornell University and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
