Archive for February, 2023

Six Tourism-Related Entities Receive CTO Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (February 17, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on February 15, 2023, announced the winners of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards Competition 2022 at a Virtual Awards Function.

CTO has been hosting the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards from 2000 to coincide with the start of the new millennium, in seeking to support and promote the sustainable development of tourism in the Caribbean.

The Awards aim to identify and showcase sustainable tourism good practices undertaken in CTO member countries in the Caribbean and is open to individual entrepreneurs, destination management organizations, tourism businesses and others, which have developed innovative tourism related products, services or experiences and in implementing these initiatives adhere to responsible and sustainable tourism practices.

“At the core of all CTO’s efforts is advocating for the sustainable and inclusive growth of Caribbean tourism, towards a viable, resilient and responsible tourism sector.  This requires careful consideration of tourism’s impact on local communities that live, work and thus support the tourism economy in our many destinations, with equal care and attention to promote conservation and responsible use of our valuable yet fragile natural resources, cultural and heritage assets,” said Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of the CTO, delivering opening remarks at the Virtual Awards Function.  

He added that, “The Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards provide a platform to recognise the efforts made by the regional tourism sector in advancing the sustainable tourism development agenda and continue to be a vital part of CTO’s efforts to reward sustainability champions in Caribbean tourism. Importantly, the Awards endeavour to celebrate initiatives that enhance the Caribbean tourism value proposition, while positioning the region as the ultimate sustainable tourism zone. In this regard, we commend all 27 applicants that submitted entries for the 2022 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards. You are all winners!”

The 2022 edition of the Awards comprised of five categories: Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award, Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award, Tourism Health and Safety Award, Community-Based Tourism Award and the Tourism Education and Training Award.

The CTO assembled an Award Selection Committee comprising a cadre of regional and international experts representing various areas of the tourism sector, including tourism development specialists and practitioners, academics and regional consultants to judge submissions. Following the review by the distinguished panel of judges, the results of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards 2022 are:

For more information on the winners and runners-up please visit the CTO website: Awards & Competition Winners | OneCaribbean.org.

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), which is headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of the region’s finest countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish-speaking, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean. Among the benefits to its members the organisation provides specialised support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution and research & information technology.

The CTO’s Headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026; Tel: (246) 427-5242; E-mail: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com.

For more information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization, please visit www.OneCaribbean.org and follow CTO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to be part of the conversation.

Posted in: 2023 News, Blog, Sustainable Tourism Roundup

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CTO Announces the Return of Landmark Events in 2023

CURACAO (February 14, 2023) – As the tourism sector across the Caribbean registers strong post-pandemic results, the 25-member Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is resuming several hallmark activities and events this year to help strengthen the region’s position as the world’s leading warm-weather destination.

Following business meetings in Curaçao last week, where ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism and their representatives met together as well as with tourism industry stakeholders, CTO chairman Kenneth Bryan announced that 2023 will see the return of “Caribbean Week in New York” in June, the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in the Turks & Caicos Islands in the fall, and a conference focused on sustainable tourism development.

Bryan, who is also the Minister of Tourism and Transport for the Cayman Islands, said that the CTO will have a delegation in attendance at this week’s Global Tourism Resilience Conference in Jamaica, and will celebrate Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett’s achievements in encouraging the United Nations to recognize February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day.

Minister Bryan also reported that CTO’s marketing committee will meet in the weeks ahead to finalize details for the upcoming calendar of events.

He disclosed that the newly invigorated CTO is focused on increasing the number of member countries and territories. “We just recently welcomed the U.S. Virgin Islands back on board, and my goal is to get more and more members since we are stronger together as a team,” he said, explaining that demonstrating to the entire region the benefits of CTO membership is paramount.

Minister Bryan and his team have been focusing their time and energies to help reshape the CTO and ensure that members get value for money. “We have some ambitious goals for the CTO over the next two years and I am confident that with a united effort we can strengthen the bread-and-butter tourism industry and improve the quality of life for our residents in this wonderful part of the world we call home,” he remarked, while showering praise on Curaçao’s tourism and economic development leaders for hosting an exceptionally productive meeting of the regional body.

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About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), which is headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency comprising membership of the region’s finest countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish-speaking, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean. Among the benefits to its members the organization provides specialised support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution and research & information technology.

The CTO’s Headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026; Tel: (246) 427-5242; E-mail: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com. For more information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization, please visit www.OneCaribbean.org and follow CTO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to be part of the conversation.

Posted in: 2023 News, Blog, Corporate News

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