Clarisa Jimenez serves as the President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA). In her role, she holds the responsibility for the operation of the 400 member association and collaborates with the board of directors to make decisions and implement objectives. Jimenez develops and executes annual strategic plans, ensuring the maximum effectiveness of the Association in various areas such as supporting allied members, membership development, advocacy programs, marketing, internal and external communications, public relations, events management, liaison with other tour and travel industry associations, maintaining sound fiscal policies, cultivating staff talent, reviewing new revenue generation streams, and managing a budget of $1.2 million.With over 30 years of experience in the tourism industry, including 14 years at the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Jimenez is regarded as a high-energy leader who consistently encourages employees to maintain a positive attitude, particularly during challenging times. She is an exceptional speaker and strongly believes in always promoting transparency. Her contributions have been recognized through various awards and honors, including being named Caribbean Business Influential Businesswoman in 2005, SME Top Management Award in 2006, National Hotel Association Executive of the Year in 2008, and Hispanic Executive in 2012.During her tenure at the PRHTA, Jimenez has achieved notable accomplishments, including maintaining a high member retention rate of 94%. She established the Tourism Industry Employee Scholarship Fund and implemented the Beyond Hospitality: Taking the Art of Service to the Next Level, formerly known as the Six Keys for Top Notch Service Certification.Additionally, she played a leading role in creating Saborea Puerto Rico, the most significant culinary event in the Caribbean, and developed the Lifetime Achievement Award for Puerto Rico's Culinary Industry.In terms of governance, Jimenez led efforts to prevent the implementation of an additional room tax in San Juan, worked towards establishing a Destination Marketing Organization, andsuccessfully opposed a bill to legalize illegal slot machines in Puerto Rico. Jimenez's experience includes serving as the head of the marketing division at the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and as the regional director responsible for the operation and promotion ofthe company's western region in California. She also held the position of President at HospitalityMarketing and Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in tourism marketing.Beyond her role at the PRHTA, Jimenez actively participates in various organizations andboards. She is involved with the Scholarship Foundation for Hotel & Tourism Studies and servesas a board member of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the CaribbeanSociety of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE). Jimenez is also a member of the Board ofDirectors of the Interagency Beach Management, overseeing the island's Blue Flag CertificationProgram, as well as the Private Sector Coalition. Furthermore, she contributes her expertise as a member of the Advisory Boards of the University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus and The International School of Tourism & Hospitality Management at Universidad del Este, recinto de Carolina.

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