Dominican businessman Gregor Nassief has been elected as the new president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

Outgoing CHTA President Sanovnik Destang revealed that Nassief was elected during a May 12 meeting of the association’s board of directors in Antigua and Barbuda, held on the sidelines of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM).

It marks the first time a Dominican has been elected to lead the CHTA.

Nassief, owner of Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort and Secret Bay, will assume office in December for a 2-year term.

Destang expressed confidence that the CHTA would be in “great hands” under Nassief’s leadership.

Reflecting on his tenure, Destang said the Caribbean tourism sector must continue adapting and collaborating to remain competitive.

“But only if we are bold enough to adapt. Bold enough to collaborate. Bold enough to tell our own stories. And bold enough to do things differently,” Destang said.

He also encouraged stakeholders attending Marketplace 2026 to focus not only on business opportunities, but also on building relationships and understanding where the regional tourism industry is heading.