caribbeanexperiencesSurvey
SECTION ONE
   CORE COMPONENTS OF caribbeanexperiences
 
caribbeanexperiences is a multi-faceted "branding" concept developed to assist Caribbean small hotels, (75 or fewer rooms/units, not positioned to the luxury market, not chain affiliated and locally owned/managed), in a variety of ways including exposure to their major seasonal markets and to deliver an acceptable product and levels of service with consistency, providing optimum "value for money".

The caribbeanexperiences™ concept consists of the following components.
Click on ? at any time for details.
                 
Branding: caribbeanexperiences™ will be used worldwide to promote small properties which become members.

Property Brand classifications:

 2 to 5 "Starfish" Rating in six major brand classifications: ?
  • Guest Houses/Bed & Breakfasts of the Caribbean
  • Small Hotels of the Caribbean
  • Inns of the Caribbean
  • Holiday Cottages, Villas and Cabanas of the Caribbean
  • Small Resorts of the Caribbean
  • Holiday Apartments of the Caribbean
Standards: To become a member, properties must meet operational and facilities criteria. These have been created based on accommodation standards from the UK Automobile Association (AA) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) modified for Caribbean Small Hotels ?
Marketing: Web-based and print promotion directing possible clients to a Central Reservation System (and Call Centre) which include direct internet bookings ?
Funding: Access to an affordable, extensive investment fund for capital upgrading to meet the established standards for each Property Classification. ?
                       
SECTION TWO 
   BRAND CLASSIFICATIONS
 
Properties which apply for membership in caribbeanexperiences™  will be asked to identify the classification into which their property would likely fit.   Would you please indicate into which major category your property would seem to fit compatibly?  If you are not sure, choose the MAYBE column.
             

DEFINITELY

 MAYBE  
Guest House/Bed & Breakfasts of the Caribbean ?  
Small Hotels of the Caribbean ?
(Corporate, Family, Country, Holiday) 		 
  • Boutique Hotels of the Caribbean ?
    (four and five star only)
 
Inns of the Caribbean ?
 (Country, Plantation, Intimate/Romantic) 		 
Holiday Cottages, Villas and Cabanas of the Caribbean ?  
Small Resorts of the Caribbean ?
(Dive, Marine, Family, Beach, Spa, Sportfishing) 		 
  • Boutique Resorts of the Caribbean ?
    (four and five star only)
  

Holiday Apartments of the Caribbean ?

  
 

Note: A "Nature Lodge" classification is being developed.

         Small hotels and resorts which are rated at the 4 or 5 starfish level, may choose to be Branded as "Boutique 
         hotels (resorts) of the Caribbean".
 
SECTION THREE
   THE "STARFISH" PROPERTY RATING SYSTEM
 
Into which of the following rating levels do you consider your property will be placed?
(The Starfish is caribbeanexperiences™  rating symbol). Click on ? to access greater detail.

Properties must achieve a two star entry rating to belong to caribbeanexperiences™

                       

One Starfish

Basic accommodations. Not available in caribbeanexperiences™ 
Two Starfish
Entry level. Clean, comfortable accommodations
with some amenities.
Three Starfish
Very comfortable accommodation with a greater range of amenities, facilities and services.
Four Starfish
 		Highest standard of accommodation, with an extensive range of facilities, amenities and services.

Five Starfish

Exceptional properties which are among the best in the Region, with outstanding facilities, guest services and quality.
                       
SECTION FOUR
   YOUR EVALUATION OF caribbeanexperiences™ CORE MEMBER
   BENEFITS AND SERVICES
 
Would you please rate the importance of each of the following Core Member benefits and services, as each could contribute to your success. Again, for more information click on ?
          Not at all Important     Average     Extremely Important  

Branding caribbeanexperiences™

Comments:
  Brand Classifications
for Properties
 e.g. Small Hotels, Inns, B&B's etc.
Comments:

Sub-branding
e.g. Plantation Inns, Marine Resorts, Boutique Hotels, Holiday Apartments

Comments:
Operational Standards
Comments:
Starfish Property Rating
Comments:
Marketing including a Central Reservation System
Comments:
Access to an Affordable Investment Fund
Comments:
                       
Ancillary Services which are available on a discretionary basis, can be added to the Core Member Benefits.  These include Group Insurance, Volume Discount Purchasing, Secure On-line Purchasing, Management (Performance) Assistance, Coaching, Exit Strategies,  Business Planning/Budgeting and Training.

How important to the caribbeanexperiences™ Program would you rate the Ancillary Services?
      Not at all
Important		   Average     Extremely Important    
         
                       

Comments:
                       
Of these Core Member Benefits, which would you say is the MOST important to your property? Second MOST important? Third MOST important? Please mark only one box per column.
CORE SERVICES       Most Important   Second Most Important   Third Most Important
Overall Branding - caribbeanexperiences™    
 Brand Classifications for Properties    
Sub-branding - e.g. Plantation Inns, Marine Resorts, Boutique hotels, Holiday apartments    
Operational Standards for Member Properties    
Property Starfish Rating    
Marketing including a
Central Reservation System		    
Access to an Affordable Investment Fund    
OPTIONAL ANCILLARY SERVICES Most Important   Second Most Important   Third Most Important

(Group insurance, volume discount purchasing, secure on-line purchasing, management (performance) assistance, coaching, exit strategies, business planning/budgeting, training)

    
                       
Are there any other core member services and benefits that could be provided by  caribbeanexperiences™ to assist you to consider applying for membership?
                       
                       
SECTION FIVE
   FINANCING AND FEES
 
Please indicate how much financing you anticipate needing over the next five years to make your property more competitive:

Category

 Long Term Debt Financing
USD$		 Working
Capital
USD$		 Line(s)
of Credit
USD$
Major upgrading $ $ $
Minor upgrading $ $ $
Environmental improvements $ $ $
Repairs $ $ $
Expansions $ $ $
Re-financing $ $ $
 
Annual fees for membership in caribbeanexperiences™ are based upon your property's classification (sub-brand) and the number of rooms/units.

Please click on the classification into which your property BEST fits to review the annual participation fee:
After reviewing these annual fees approximately what increase in OCCUPANCY at your present Average Daily Room Rate would you need to achieve to pay this amount?

occupancy increase
5%-9% 10%-14% 15%-19% 20%-24% 25%-29% 30%+
           
How many more rooms per day would you need to sell to achieve the above occupancy increase?
     Extra rooms per day
                       
At your present occupancy level, how much would you need to increase your present Average Daily Room Rate to cover these annual fees?
  $ Increase on Average Daily rate
                       
What is your initial reaction to the Annual Membership Fee?
  It is a bargain for what is included
  It's expensive but worth it
  It's too expensive for what is included
                       
What annual fee level would you consider to be more reasonable for your property for  caribbeanexperiences™, given the range of benefits and services outlined above:
  Guest House, Bed & Breakfasts   USD$    
  Small Hotels   USD$    
  Small Resorts   USD$    
  Holiday Apartments   USD$    
  Holiday Cottages,
Cabanas and Villas		   USD$    
  Inns   USD$    
         
Please indicate what length of term in years on long-term debt financing you would consider reasonable for your situation.    years
                       
What interest rate would you consider would be reasonable for the length of this long-term financing, considering the rates that are presently available?   % interest
                       
What would be the major advantage for your Property to be a member of caribbeanexperiences™?
                       
What disadvantages do you foresee in becoming a member?
                       
What will the major challenge be for caribbeanexperiences™?
                       
Based upon the Core Member Services and Benefits, Ancillary Services and the Annual Membership Fees, which of the following would you be interested in?
                Interested     Not Interested    
Receiving a membership application package        
Receiving a visit, e-mail or phone call
from your local STEP Coordinator		        
Receiving an invitation to attend a briefing presentation on caribbeanexperiences™ membership and its benefits
when these are finalized		        
Receiving more information on caribbeanexperiences™
by e-mail or by post		        
Being added to our e-mail list for updates        
           
SECTION SIX
   ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PROPERTY
 
On which island is your property located?
    *Required        
           
What is the name of your property?
    *Required      
 
How many rooms does your property have?  Rooms
                       
What is your position?
                       
What is your annual room occupancy (approximately)?
  Less than 40% 50% 65%    
  40% 55% 70%    
  45% 60% More than 70%