WILLEMSTAD - After recent discoveries regarding COVID-19, CHATA found it important to communicate thoroughly with its members daily with any relevant updates. As the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association, it is our duty to make our members feel safe and secure when encountering such a crisis. It is for that reason that, aside from communicating with its members, CHATA has been supporting them through this difficult time by organizing Webinars with experts on important topics such as, Marketing Strategy, Tax Measures, HR Employment and Insurance. These Webinars will be hosted by CHATA, in partnership with different members and associations who will offer their expertise on the situation businesses in the tourism industry are facing.
After an information session held by CHATA with President and CEO, Miles Mercera, it was concluded that, although this is unchartered territory, there are measures that can be taken. CHATA shared the hygiene protocol with all Accommodations Members, provided by Marriott Global Operations Services, and sent a letter to the Minister of Economic Development and the Minister of Finance, requesting support with understanding of reduction in labor hours as well as a grace period for tax payments.
CHATA will be hosting the Webinars for its members during the next couple of days, however, if a non-member would like to attend one of these Webinars, they can do so by contacting gedion@chata.org.
On Thursday, March 19, 2020 from 2PM – 3PM, Lead Strategist, Alex Galarraga from Booking Success, will co-host the Webinar ‘How Hotels & Tourism Businesses Should Adjust Their Marketing Strategy. During this Webinar, Alex will provide information on how a business should adjust their marketing strategy to ensure cashflow, in relations to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Friday, March 20, 2020 from 10AM – 11AM, Attorney at Law, Kimberley de l’Isle from KDL Legal, will co-host the Webinar ‘Employment measures - How to handle this?’. Kimberley will be available to answer any questions and address any concerns business are facing regarding employment complication during COVID-19.
Later that day from 2PM – 3PM, Tax Advisor and Attorney at Law, Jeroen Starreveld from Spigt Dutch Caribbean ATTO, will co-host the Webinar ‘Taxes & Measurements - Measurements that can be taken’. It is understandable that without a stable income, due to the measurements taken by the government, some businesses are having trouble regarding tax payments. Jeroen will be available to answer all of your questions and concerns your business is facing during COVID-19.
For next week Monday, March 23, 2020 from 2PM – 3PM, President and Vice President, Guiselle Coco and Elizabeth Bermudez from the Curaçao & Bonaire Insurance Association (CBIA), will co-host the Webinar ‘Insurance - What can your insurance mean for your business continuity’. During this Webinar,
Guiselle and Elizabeth will be available to answer all of your insurance questions and concerns that your business is facing during COVID-19.
With the situation forcing our island to be as digital as possible, CHATA has made the decision to host the Annual General Meeting 2020 virtually. The invitations have been sent to the members to vote for the new board of 2020/2021 and the updates and presentations will be given to an online audience.
It important to mention that we are all in this together, the industry always recovers, but not without each other’s help; one must be understanding and patient. CHATA wants to encourage everyone to stay safe, be kind and be considerate during these troubled times. A friendly reminder to wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer and cover your coughs and sneezes.
