2022 News

CTO leader bats for gender equality in Caribbean tourism

BARBADOS (March 8, 2023) – The chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Kenneth Bryan said the focus of International Women’s Day (IWD) this year reminded him of how much women have contributed to the success of the region’s most dynamic economic driver, tourism.

Bryan, who is the Minister of Tourism and Transport of the Cayman Islands, said the IWD theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” aligns with the intergovernmental organization’s aim “to put more women in positions of influence so they can not only enhance the efficiency of our region’s major economic earner, but also be an exemplar for women everywhere.”

The tourism leader stated, “We want to strengthen our efforts to give women the technical education needed to enable them to explore, learn, and rally for their rights, which will enhance the ability of the CTO to coalesce its best and brightest people for the betterment of our tourism product, and for the people of the Caribbean.”

“We must work to redress the imbalance and inequity in tourism with increased recruitment, training and education of women to rebuild the pandemic-affected workforce into a more equitable and productive sector,” Bryan said.

Bryan, who chairs the CTO’s Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism, said he wanted to ensure young women were fairly represented among new recruits into the sector, and that the industry was diverse enough to incorporate the entrepreneurial skills of a new generation of professionals.

He added that women had to be elevated from being among the lowest paid and lowest status jobs in tourism to being recognized for the significant amount of unpaid work they often perform in family tourism businesses.

Minister Bryan reasoned that there is no need to reinvent the wheel because thanks to the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO) there are published guidelines on how the public and private sectors of Caribbean and other countries can provide specific tools to support tourism institutions and businesses to integrate gender considerations into their policies, programming and strategies and boost the opportunities tourism offers for women’s empowerment.

He said International Women’s Day is an excellent and timely reminder of the need of Caribbean women for employment with equitable remuneration, entrepreneurship, leadership, community and education “to ensure that tourism in our region can act as a vehicle for the empowerment of women whilst highlighting and dealing with the remaining challenges for gender equality in tourism.”

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 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; 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.

The CTO Welcomes the USVI

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (January 13, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has started 2023, a  year it sees as one of growth for the regional body, by welcoming the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) as its 25th member country.

The USVI, one of the leading destinations in the Caribbean, joins the organization of regional tourism leaders at a time when the CTO seeks to refocus its mandate on shaping the Caribbean tourism sector of the future.  The relationship between the USVI and the CTO is not a new one, and the organisation is confident that the renewed partnership will result in several positive outcomes for both parties, and the wider CTO membership. In welcoming the new member, Chairman of the CTO, Hon. Kenneth Bryan expressed his belief in the opportunity this relationship presents for regional tourism. “I wholeheartedly welcome the United States Virgin Islands and Commissioner Boschulte to the Membership. Having one of the fastest growing travel destinations in our fraternity further strengthens the Organization and enhances the spirit of collaboration and cohesion among our jurisdictions. The USVI has joined a community that is committed to working together to sustainably grow and develop Caribbean Tourism and we look forward to working with Commissioner Boshulte in this regard.”

Commissioner Boschulte of the USVI, in expressing his thoughts on his destination’s status as a CTO member said, “The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is a key economic driver in the Caribbean’s growth and sustainability, and we are honoured that the USVI is now a member. Sustainability is always top of mind for us as we look to maintain the tranquil and unspoiled landscapes of St Thomas, St Croix and St John. Eco-friendly practices are vital for keeping our islands clean and pristine, and to ensure the preservation of our natural resources and ecosystems. We saw encouraging growth in tourism in the USVI in 2022. We look forward to working with the CTO in 2023 to create mechanisms to ensure that growth continues for both the USVI and our Caribbean neighbours.”

The CTO member countries are representative of the diversity that exists in the Caribbean, which makes the region one of the most unique tourism destinations in the world.   The organization has adopted a mandate to support the sustainable tourism and economic development among its members.

Cayman Islands Department of Tourism Officials Tapped as Top Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Executives

For the first time, a Cayman Islands Minister of Tourism has been elected as the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Chairman. The Honorable Kenneth Bryan was unanimously elected by CTO members and assumes the chairmanship of the CTO Council of Ministers for the next two years. In addition, Rosa Harris, the Cayman Islands Director of Tourism, will serve as chairman of the CTO Board of Directors for the next two years.

“I am honored to take on this role and proud to serve as Cayman Islands first Chairman elect,” said Honorable Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism. “I am committed to supporting the Caribbean region especially since many of our sister islands recently lifted Covid testing and restrictions making it easier for consumers to travel to the Caribbean which is imperative post-pandemic. Having the confidence from my colleagues to represent the Caribbean is humbling and I look forward to collaborating with them during my chairmanship.”

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.” CTO provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning and execution, and research and information technology.

For more information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization please visit www.onecaribbean.org. For more information on the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism please visit www.visitcaymanislands.com.

Statement From CTO Chairman, Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Regarding the Passage Of Hurricane Fiona

As the Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Council of Ministers & Commissioners of Tourism, I am confident that I speak for all of my Ministerial Colleagues in saying that our thoughts and prayers go out to our brothers and sisters across the Caribbean that are being impacted by the ravages of Hurricane Fiona.

I sincerely hope that you, your loved ones, and colleagues are safe and secure.

I recognise that the needs of your family, friends and communities are your top concern right now, and I want you to know that the CTO stands ready to assist in whatever ways we can, if and when you need us in the weeks to come.

As Islands in the Caribbean situated in the hurricane belt, we have all faced the impact of tropical storms and hurricanes and can relate to what you are going through. We know that  there will be many difficult months ahead for those for those who have been most affected.

But with our strong faith and commitment to one another’s well-being, we will get through this. As a region, we have strength in our collective support systems and those of us who are unaffected by Hurricane Fiona, stand ready to help our regional neighbors who are in need.

On a personal note, as Chairman, my heart is with you as we move from impact to recovery.