In forging a closer link between small hotel owners and operators in the region, the Caribbean Hotel Association, in conjunction with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, will hold a two-day Caribbean Small Hotels retreat from September 26.

The retreat will be held at the Barbados Hilton in Bridgetown, Barbados. The two-day meeting, sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Authority and Caribbean Airways, will feature a different approach from traditional hospitality conferences by emphasising small-group discussions of eight to 10 people - a departure from the formality of large conventions.

"It's a retreat in a true sense, in as much as for two days, small hoteliers will withdraw to focus on practical considerations and insight based on experience of the day-to-day operating issues particular to inn keeping," said Barbadian small hotelier and president of the Caribbean Hotel Association Peter J. Odle.

Small hotels, with 75 rooms or less, account for approximately 65 per cent of the region's hotel offerings.