THE US-BASED Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) have been exploring the possibility of undertaking a collective marketing campaign for the region. FCCA marketing committee chief, Michelle Page, Thursday held talks with CHA president Berthia Parle on the initiative. The meeting is the first between the two bodies that have traditionally been at loggerheads over allegations that the cruise ship industry does not make a substantial contribution to Caribbean tourism. Parle told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Page had agreed to assist with raising funds for a Christmas hamper drive to benefit needy persons in the community. "I approached her to assist with the hamper drive and she agreed without hesitation to present us with a cheque of US$10,000 in support of the community project," Parle said. The meeting follows initial talks held in Barbados during the recent FCCA conference attended by a CHA delegation that held discussions with representatives of the cruise ship sector. Parle said that one outcome of that meeting was the decision that the FCCA official would address next months CHA Marketing Committee at Marketplace 2005 in Jamaica. Reprinted from Jamaica-gleaner.com