Bolongo Bay Beach Resort Managing Director Richard Doumeng has been voted President-Elect of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) for 2012–2014.

Doumeng brings a wealth of tourism knowledge and experience to the position. In addition to being a second-generation hotelier on St. Thomas, Doumeng has served on the CHTA Board of Directors for 19 years and as Vice President of the association for the past 10 years. Currently, he is the First Vice President and Trustee for the CHTA Education Foundation. He is also the past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association. In 2009, Doumeng was given the CHTA’s highest honor of Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.

When Doumeng takes the reins in 2012, he says that his first priority will be to reach out to as many individuals in the Caribbean tourism industry as possible and build membership. “Tourism is critical to our region and we have a lot to offer visitors. The islands of the Caribbean are full of diversity and unique vacation experiences,” says Doumeng. “CHTA needs all stakeholders in the region to be actively involved for the region to be competitive to traveling consumers.”

Doumeng was elected President-elect by acclamation at the Annual General Meeting of CHTA held June 25 in Miami. The officers who will work with Doumeng during his presidency will be elected at the Annual General Meeting in 2012.

Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com; Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, 800-524-4746, www.bolongobay.com