SILVER SPRING, Maryland – A leading lodging company in the United States has described a team of Caribbean reporters who recently traveled to Haiti as “journalistic bright lights” who ought to be commended for their coverage of the French Creole nation.
Bill Clegg, Regional Vice President, Brand Performance and Programs of Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), said “Haiti, the Caribbean and the world are richer following the excellent reports” delivered through traditional and social media networks by group leader Anika Kentish of Observer Radio in Antigua, her colleague Marcella Andre; Julia Johnson of Guyana’s Prime News; Freelancer Maria Fontenelle of St. Lucia and correspondent Clare Forrester of Jamaica.
The all-female team of journalists was hailed as “The Fearless Five” by regional media for their determined coverage of the often chaotic social, political, and economic environments in the Caribbean country recovering from a massive catastrophe.
“From Haiti’s recovery efforts from last year’s earthquake to the island’s incredible tourism potential, these reporters were able to relay the triumphs and challenges of Haiti in a thoughtful and uplifting manner,” asserted Clegg, whose company locked arms with American Airlines, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers and the Caribbean Media Exchange to support “The Fearless Five”.
Caribbean journalist and interpreter Marcella Andre (right) poses a question at the Provisional Electoral Council Press Conference while her colleague Clare Forrester looks on.
Thanking Choice Hotels and the other sponsors, team leader Kentish reported “the trip has helped us better understand the complexities of this often misunderstood CARICOM (Caribbean Community) country … and we plan to continue coverage of Haiti through periodic Skype interviews with the country’s newsmakers.”
Choice Hotels International, a supporter of the Caribbean Media Exchange tourism symposium (CMEx), stated it remains committed to operating in Haiti. Choice Hotels has assisted two Haitian franchisees with their post-earthquake recovery efforts and is developing a new timeline for opening the hotels in Jacmel – a 100-room Ascend Collection hotel resort and a 40-room Comfort Inn hotel.
