Charles and Betty Roy started the original Hotel Association in the early 60's. Terry Ford, Albie Stewart, Richard Batham of Marina Cay, Little Dix Bay Resort, Peter Island Yacht Club and Fort Burt Hotel were also prime movers in the formation of the Hotel Association. It was out of the advent of bareboats, diving and the expansion of Caribbean Sailing Yachts (CSY) in the early 70's, that the Hotel and Tourist Association was organized and duly registered in 1969. In the early stages, the Hotel & Tourist Association had more impact on advertising than the Government's Tourist Board. The budget from the private sector far out-weighed Government's input. In 1985 the name was changed to the BVI Hotel and Commerce Association (HCA) and registered under CAP 25 as a non-profit organization. Clarence Christian served as HCA's first Chairman. Restaurant membership was established as the Association developed into the BVI Hotel and Commerce Association. Restaurants and other tourist and non-tourist related businesses also became members. Again, to meet government's call, HCA met the needs of a local Chamber of Commerce. HCA was able to receive funding that was not available to other organizations or to the Government.Over the next few years, HCA met with the Executive body of the short-lived original BVI Chamber of Commerce to discuss officially adopting the functions of that organization. This came to fruition at the end of 1999. A resolution to change the name to BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association (BVICCHA) was voted in by the membership on February 18, 2000 at the Annual General Meeting. Since that time, BVICCHA and the Government of the Virgin Islands have worked hand-in-hand to find solutions to problems, issues and potential situations that may be adverse to a good quality economic and social life in the BVI. Currently, BVICCHA has a membership of 250 companies. The BVICCHA currently holds membership in the Caribbean Hotel Association and the Caribbean Association of Industry & Commerce