Become A Member
As a member of the BHTA you have the power to influence decisions that are made in the tourism industry which directly impact on your business. Through networking, knowledge sharing, marketing and PR facilitation, technology innovation and access to cutting edge information, the BHTA helps you leverage your competitive advantage to achieve your corporate objectives.
As a member, you are part of a comprehensive network. The strength of the Association is its members, and over the years, we have proved that there is strength in numbers.
At the BHTA our role is to aid, support and facilitate your ability to reach your target market, network with key decision makers, create opportunities for the growth and development of our business, voice your ideas and opinions, facilitate your advocacy, and to keep you up to date the current trends and information.
If you’re associated with the tourism industry in any way, you understand the need and the power of collaboration. Joining a hotel and tourism association to help you navigate and compete with the giants of the industry is simply good business sense.
The BHTA is not just another association with vague recommendations and toothless benefits. We are the energy of a specialized group of people who are living the challenges of our times and are working together, strengthening key social partnerships, to find critical and effectual solutions.
BHTA Benefits
Global and Local Marketing and Promotional opportunities
We facilitate marketing and promotional opportunities for our membership, through internal networking and working with our locally and international strategic partners, e.g., members meetings, website marketing and reservations, co-op marketing, trade shows, conferences and exhibition participation, collateral material.
Networking opportunities (It is WHO you know)
We host several events at which members can network with both public and private sector decision makers, e.g., general meetings, members mingles, networking cocktail receptions. As a member you also get detailed mailing and contact information to key decision makers.
Access to local fiscal benefits designed for BHTA members
We negotiate fiscal concessions which are accessible to BHTA members ONLY, e.g., the TERF, Tourism Loan Fund, reduced VAT for hotel rooms, duty free allowances, land tax concessions, etc.
Tax rebates through the Tourism Development Corporation
Contributions to the Tourism Fund are eligible for tax rebates.
Discounts advertising rates in all BHTA endorsed publications
These include the official Barbados In-room Guide, Ins and Outs of Barbados, Barbados in a Nutshell, the Visit Barbados Guide, the BHTA Annual Report, and the BHTA Weekly Newsletter.
The BHTA Bi-Weekly Electronic Newsletter
An excellent source of industry insider information and statistics which also offers promotional opportunities.
Membership Website
Free link on BHTA website. Access to ‘Members Only’ information.
Automatic membership to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association
This is available to Accommodation members only. Non-accommodation members have the option of also accessing the benefits of CHA membership for a special fee of US$250.00.
Discounts from participating members of the Association
Includes restaurants, hotels, car rental, etc.
- Locally – (through the BHTA)
- Regionally and internationally – (through the CHA)
Labour Relations and HR Development
- Negotiation of collective agreement for hotels with the union representative.
- Assistance and advice with HR management issues.
- Business excellence consultation and advice.
- Membership rates for human resource and personal enhancement training hosted conducted by BHTA.
- Assistance accessing funding for training through local and international agencies.
Extensive networking opportunities through participation in international events and conferences
- CHTA Marketplace
- Taste of the Caribbean
- Caribbean Tourism Investment Conference
- Caribbean Hotel and Investment Conference
- Caribbean Tourism Conferences (CTO)
- World Travel Market
- ITB Berlin
- Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference
Event planning assistance
Our in-house expertise is on hand to assist you with your event management needs: meetings, symposiums, training sessions, product launches, corporate events, private events, etc.
BHTA Medical Plan
All BHTA members have access to a medical plan which allows you to provide medical insurance coverage to members of your staff (minimum of 3) at preferential rates.
BHTA Pension Plan
BHTA Accomodation members have access to a pension plan programmer, which allows you to provide pension plans to members of your staff at preferential rates.
Seal of Quality Logo
Permission to use the BHTA’s logo on letterhead to lend testimony of quality.
Join The BHTA
Being a member of the BHTA puts you at the forefront of what is happening in the tourism industry. It gives you direct access to the opportunities, tools and resources that you need to build your competitive advantage and succeed in the volatile and dynamic business environment in which we operate. Become a CHTA member and secure your position at the forefront of the Caribbean hospitality industry. Select your membership category below and learn about the exciting opportunities that await you with the BHTA. We believe that membership has its privileges.
Types Of Membership
Accommodation
BHTA understands that running a hotel is more about business management, advocacy, finance and marketing that about ensuring that your guests have a comfortable stay at your property. Your business not only competes in a local market, but also in a dynamic fast paced international market. The BHTA works daily to ensure that we create a supportive environment that will enable your property to run efficiently, be more cost-effective, and grow your profits. Through the BHTA you will have access to key industry players and resources and will benefit from an extensive network of industry executives.
Direct Tourism
For organizations and individuals whose main income is derived from the tourism industry that supply goods and services to tourism entities.
Direct Tourism Members are organizations and individuals with a direct vested interest in the Hotel and Tourism industry, from which their main source of income is derived. Membership in the BHTA provides you with access to industry information, and the ability to use various networking opportunities and marketing opportunities and events. BHTA membership puts you in direct contact with key decision makers in local and Caribbean tourism to grow your business. If hoteliers and visitors to Barbados comprise the main component of your consumer base, you can’t afford not to join BHTA.
Tourism Support Services
For organizations and individuals whose main income is NOT derived from the tourism industry that supply goods and services to tourism entities.
Tourism Services Members are organizations and individuals who supply goods and services to businesses that operate directly in the tourism industry. Tourism Services members have a vested interest in the Hotel and Tourism industry as the engine that drives the economy of Barbados. Membership in the BHTA provides you with access to industry information, and the ability to use various networking opportunities and marketing events. BHTA membership puts you in direct contact with key decision makers in local and Caribbean tourism to grow your business.
Overseas
For businesses or individuals registered and operating outside of Barbados supplying goods and services.
Many companies from outside of Barbados seek to offer products and services to BHTA members. Membership in the BHTA provides you with access to the key decision makers in the industry that enable you to access the Barbados market. We facilitate your access to data and information that will inform your business decisions and help you to expand your operations in the Caribbean.
Sustaining
Sustaining Membership is available to any registered company or corporation intending to operate a business in the tourism industry in Barbados and is in the process of set up, construction or re-construction. This is a temporary membership status.
Membership in the BHTA provides you with access to industry information, and the ability to use various networking opportunities and marketing events, giving you the foundation you need to build your brand prior to official opening. BHTA membership puts you in direct contact with key decision makers in local and Caribbean tourism to grow your business.
Student Membership
Tourism is the business that drives the Barbados economy. The development and sustainability of the industry is linked to the development of our future human resource. Through our programs such as TEAM and STEP, we work to ensure that all students are exposed the industry in a way that promotes a positive attitude towards the industry. The following are eligible for student membership:
- Any student aged 15 – 18 enrolled full time in an accredited public or private secondary school.
- Any student enrolled in an accredited tertiary institution and studying hospitality.
- Open to national and non-national students ONLY while studying in Barbados.
FEES
For the United States dollar equivalent: US$1 – BDS$2.03875