Archive for May, 2023

CTO, CBU Forge Partnership to Showcase Caribbean Week in New York

NEW YORK (May 29, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) have announced a joint partnership, which will have as its first action amplification of the coverage of the highly anticipated Caribbean Week in New York, scheduled to take place from June 5 to 8, 2023.

This strategic collaboration between the CTO and CBU aims to create a platform for showcasing the latest developments and trends in the Caribbean’s vital tourism industry, reaching regional and international audiences through content sharing and distribution.

Under the agreement, the collaborative will leverage CBU’s extensive media broadcast and digital network spanning 20 countries to disseminate tourism updates and interviews with key stakeholders, including ministers, commissioners, directors of tourism, and other participants during the week’s activities.

“By providing insights into the initiatives led by Caribbean tourism leaders, this partnership will offer viewers within and beyond the region a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing efforts to revive and strengthen the Caribbean’s tourism industry,” said Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of the CTO.

Dr. Claire Grant, President of the CBU, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership allows us to showcase the rich diversity and allure of the Caribbean to our vast audiences. We are thrilled to work alongside the CTO to promote the region’s tourism industry and foster engagement with the media.”

Caribbean Week in New York, organized under the auspices of the CTO Foundation, will be an exceptional occasion to highlight the vibrant Caribbean culture, encourage networking within the tourism industry, and promote thought leadership. The event will feature a dynamic lineup of events and business meetings, including sessions with the CTO Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Council of Ministers and Commissioners. These discussions will center around critical issues shaping the direction and growth of Caribbean tourism, facilitating robust and strategic dialogue.

Throughout the week, attendees can look forward to a Welcome Cocktail Reception hosted by CTO Allied Members, and a Tourism Industry Marketing Conference to explore the latest trends in destination growth.

The CTO will also host a press breakfast and the popular Media Marketplace, enabling Caribbean countries to engage with close to 50 trade, consumer, and diaspora media.

Funds raised during the week will contribute to scholarships and grants for Caribbean students in the region and the diaspora.

More than 20 CTO member countries and territories will be in attendance, demonstrating their collective commitment to rebuilding the region’s largest source market.

For more information about Caribbean Week in New York, please visit caribbeanweek.com

About the Caribbean Broadcasting Union

The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) is a not-for-profit association of public service and commercial broadcasters in the Caribbean, reaching over 4.8 million people in the region. As a regional institution, it facilitates discussion and analysis that assist in policy formulation on major integration issues. For more information, visit www.caribroadcastunion.org.

Posted in: 2023 News, Blog, Caribbean Week

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Henry Harteveldt to Deliver Keynote Address at Caribbean Week, New York

NEW YORK (May 19, 2023) – Renowned travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt will keynote the highly anticipated Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Tourism Industry Marketing Conference, scheduled to take place during Caribbean Week in New York from June 5-8, 2023.

Harteveldt, a widely respected travel industry analyst and founder of Atmosphere Research Group, an independent and unbiased travel industry strategic research and advisory firm, will keynote the conference on “A Changed Traveler; A Changed Airline Industry: Understanding Both”. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Harteveldt will provide valuable insights into the shifting landscape of traveler behaviors and the evolving airline industry.

The theme of the marketing conference, to be held on Wednesday, June 7 at the Martinique New York on Broadway in midtown Manhattan, is “Tourism Industry Resurgence in a Whole New World”.

From capitalizing on changing dynamics and building awareness in new markets, this conference, held under the auspices of the CTO Foundation, offers valuable insights into current industry trends with discussions covering destination performance, leading strategies, the impact of artificial intelligence, and Caribbean tourism success stories.

Following the keynote, a panel discussion will examine “Capitalizing on the Changing Dynamics of Today’s Traveler”, and will emphasize the importance of an integrated approach that aligns marketing, product development, and technology to enhance the visitor experience. Panelists include moderator Susan Black, CEO of Susan Black Associates LLC; Danny Cohanpour, CEO of Trove Tourism Development Advisors; and Sindy Diab, Vice President of Travel Performance Data at MMGY.

The panel discussion entitled “Building Awareness and Driving Growth in New Markets” will explore the opportunities presented by market expansion and diversification in the Caribbean. Sarah Glover, Vice President of News & Civic Dialogue at WHYY News; Dawit Habtemarian, Global Tourism Reporter at Skift; and Henry Zamarripa, Latin America and Emerging Markets Executive, will shed light on attracting visitors from the Gulf states, Latin America, and the African American market. Melissa Noel, an award-winning, New York-based Caribbean-American reporter and media entrepreneur, will moderate the session.

The final panel on “The Winning Formula: Success Stories from the Caribbean” will highlight the remarkable post-pandemic recovery of the Caribbean tourism industry. Tourism ministers who will drive the discussion include CTO Chairman Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands; St. Lucia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Ernest Hilaire; Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism of the United States Virgin Islands; Ruisandro Cijntje, Minister of Economic Development of Curaçao; and Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism of the Turks & Caicos Islands. John Peters, Founder of Strategic Partnership Advisors, will moderate this panel discussion.

Peters will also deliver a feature address, providing an insightful exploration of post-pandemic travel trends, with a focus on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on future trends.

Caribbean Week’s Tourism Industry Marketing Conference promises to be a pivotal event for industry professionals seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of travel and tourism.

Funds raised during Caribbean Week will go towards scholarships and grants for Caribbean students in the region and the diaspora.

Caribbean Week in New York sponsors include Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation; Cayman Islands Department of Tourism; interCaribbean Airways; Jamaica Tourist Board; Tobago Tourism Agency Limited; and United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

2023 partners include the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, MMGY, Strategic Partnership Advisors, Susan Black Associates LLC, and Trove Tourism Development Advisors.

For more information about Caribbean Week 2023, please visit caribbeanweek.com.

 

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CTO Membership Expands With Bermuda

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (May 3, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the expansion of its membership, as Bermuda officially rejoins the organization through a collaborative partnership with the Government of Bermuda and the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA).

With its unique, distinctive attributes, Bermuda further strengthens the organization’s ability to promote the depth of the Caribbean experience as it seeks to explore new growth opportunities. With Bermuda’s membership, CTO marks yet another milestone in its efforts to expand its reach and influence in the regional tourism sector.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Bermuda back to the CTO,” said CTO Chairman Kenneth Bryan, the Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands. “As we continue our focus on repositioning the region in the new tourism environment, I am heartened when destinations like Bermuda express their confidence in the CTO by rejoining at this time. We are truly excited to engage and collaborate with Minister Vance Campbell and his team,” he continued.

Bermuda’s Minister of Tourism, Vance Campbell, J.P., also acknowledged the importance of regional collaboration during this recovery period. He stated, “As our tourism sector continues to recover following the difficult COVID years, it is important that we have access to and work with similar jurisdictions to share ideas that have been successful and can benefit Bermuda. Our membership in the CTO will be of great value as we continue to build a successful, sustainable tourism industry that helps grow our economy and provide exciting and empowering careers for Bermudians.”

CTO member countries represent the Dutch-, English- and French-speaking Caribbean; and the organization’s programming focuses on sustainable regional tourism development, the main economic driver for most within the Caribbean.

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency, comprising membership of the region’s finest countries and territories, including Dutch-, English- and French-speaking, as well as a range 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 specialized 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; Fax: (246) 429-3065; E-mail: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com.

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

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