2024 News

CTO to Champion Caribbean Climate Resilience at COP29 in Baku

BAKU, Azerbaijan (November 19, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will bring its advocacy to the global stage at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan.

 Representing the Caribbean region, the CTO will spotlight the critical climate challenges that small island developing states (SIDS) face, with an emphasis on the tourism sector’s vulnerability. Tourism is the economic backbone of the Caribbean, and the CTO aims to amplify the concerns of the region’s 44.5 million residents, who experience firsthand the consequences of climate change, including rising sea levels, intensified hurricanes, and environmental degradation that threaten livelihoods, infrastructure, and natural attractions. 

“Tourism is the heartbeat of the Caribbean. Yet, we must confront the stark reality that our islands contribute the least but are among the most vulnerable to climate change. The effects of rising sea levels, beach erosion, and stronger and unpredictable hurricanes impact not only our economies but also the very essence of Caribbean life,” stated Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of CTO. “Our presence at COP29 is a critical step in advancing climate-resilient tourism practices and ensuring that global climate action addresses the unique challenges of our region.”

CTO remains committed to frameworks like the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and anticipates outcomes from COP29 that firmly integrate tourism into global climate strategies. The intergovernmental organization will make a unified statement calling for stronger climate action, increased funding for resilience, and policies that protect tourism-dependent economies. A high-level session featuring Ministers of Tourism will take place on November 20.

Through its proactive efforts, CTO continues to champion sustainable tourism practices, renewable energy initiatives, climate-resilient infrastructure, and strategies that balance economic development with environmental stewardship. The organization’s message will underscore that the Caribbean’s vulnerability is a global issue that demands collective and urgent action.

CTO Leader Emphasizes Innovation and Sustainability at World Travel Market

LONDON, United Kingdom (November 7, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) reinforced its forward-thinking approach to travel and tourism on Tuesday at World Travel Market in London, where Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper joined a panel of influential female industry leaders to discuss “Building a Consistent Vibe Across Messaging, Delivery, and More.”

With a focus on innovative travel marketing and sustainability, the panel shed light on shifting from traditional marketing methods to personalized, data-driven strategies that enhance customer engagement. Regis-Prosper’s insights reflected the CTO’s commitment to balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship while emphasizing the importance of partnerships, adaptability, and community development at the core of the Caribbean’s tourism blueprint.

The CTO leader shared the stage with moderator Tina Charisma, Director of Charisma Campaign; Wendy Vividor, Managing Director, CMO, Head of Marketing and Growth of Chase Travel Group; and Lotti Norman, CMO of TTC Tour Brands Marketing Lab. Together, they highlighted the value of fully embracing data-driven strategies in travel marketing initiatives. Panelists shared insights on topics such as hyper-personalization, the power of partnerships, and the importance of agile teams capable of adapting to changing consumer demands.

Reflecting on her management style, Regis-Prosper noted that “prosperity” is at the heart of her philosophy, which encompasses People Development, Research-Driven Decision-Making, Operational Alignment, Sustainability, Partnerships, Empowerment, and Return on Investment. She emphasized the importance of ensuring a positive future impact, and of empowering people and teams to achieve this goal.

Describing the CTO’s ability to adapt to a changing landscape, Regis-Prosper noted, “We have been able to pivot in the Caribbean in terms of how we communicate, how we make information available to our customers, [and] how we customize that experience.” She emphasized the importance of tailoring the Caribbean experience to fit diverse travelers’ needs across the region’s many unique destinations, adding, “We have to customize and find out [what individual travelers] want, [then] we’ll be able to tailor that package for [them].”

The panelists also addressed challenges, including the goal of balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. Regis-Prosper highlighted the unique challenge Caribbean destinations face regarding this goal; while promoting the region’s stunning beaches and natural attractions, the CTO recognizes its responsibility to protect these “very fragile ecosystems”. To Regis-Prosper, sustainability also means ensuring that tourism’s impact reaches every corner of the community, fostering a positive legacy for future generations.

According to Regis-Prosper, partnerships remain a cornerstone of the CTO’s strategy, as the organization collaborates with both public and private sectors and represents 25 member states across the Caribbean.

Looking forward, the tourism leader spoke about the future of travel marketing and the CTO’s unwavering commitment to sustainability: “Everything we do in this industry, we’ll do it in the name of sustainability, and we will pivot to regenerative tourism,” she concluded.

CTO Announces Tourism Data Workshops to Enhance Research and Statistical Capacity

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (November 4, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in partnership with the International Tourism Studies Association/Caribbean Tourism Researchers Network (ITSA/CTRN), has announced a series of virtual Tourism Data Workshops to help regional professionals enhance their research and statistical capacity in tourism data collection and analysis.

Scheduled from November 11 to December 2, 2024, the capacity building workshops are specifically designed for tourism research and statistical personnel and tourism executives responsible for data collection and the design and execution of tourism research projects. Participants will benefit from expert-led sessions that cover a broad spectrum of tourism data management practices and research methodologies. The content will be presented in clear, everyday language to accommodate participants with varying levels of technical expertise, ensuring accessibility for all.

The main objectives of the workshops are to enhance the knowledge and skills of Caribbean tourism research and statistical personnel in the following areas:

·     Identifying a Caribbean tourism data ecosystem.

·     Understanding methodologies in tourism research.

·     Applying the latest digital technologies to tourism quantitative and qualitative research.

·     Discovering relevant survey methods for market research and impact studies.

·     Utilizing modern tools, including Artificial Intelligence, to reframe tourism data analytics.

·     Developing collaborative networks among Caribbean tourism data researchers.

Dr. Michelle McLeod, project lead, said that as a former tourism researcher working in a national tourism office, she appreciates the need to develop the knowledge and skills that contribute to effectively planning and monitoring the performance of the tourism industry. “My research involved then and now, comparisons across Caribbean countries to understand best practices in the management of the tourism data ecosystem. This timely tourism data capacity building initiative implements eight workshops designed from a training needs assessment across 19 Caribbean countries.”

These interactive workshops, organized by facilitators Dr. McLeod, Dr. Alecia Douglas, Dr. Jorge Ridderstaat, Sean Smith and Shinelle Smith, will be conducted in an online environment, featuring group discussions, breakout sessions, hands-on exercises, polls, and Q&A sessions. The interactive format is designed to encourage active participation, sharing of experiences, and collaboration.

Aliyyah Shakeer, CTO’s new Director of Research, stated: “Tourism remains a vital economic driver for the Caribbean, and its continued growth depends on informed decision-making backed by solid research. This workshop series is designed to equip both new and experienced tourism researchers across the region with the essential tools and methodologies needed for effective planning, analysis and reporting. The knowledge gained will be invaluable for driving sustainable growth in their respective destinations and strengthening the overall competitiveness of the Caribbean’s tourism sector.”

Caribbean Region Represented at Latin America’s Largest Tourism Fair

BUENOS AIRES (October 31, 2024) – The Caribbean made a significant impact at the 2024 International Tourism Fair (FIT) in Argentina, creating a strong presence among record-breaking crowds. Held from September 28, 2024, to October 1, 2024, at La Rural Convention Center, FIT attracted over 135,000 visitors, an eight percent increase compared to last year.

EM Marketing, an allied member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), was pivotal in coordinating the Caribbean’s participation in this growing Latin American travel event.

“This year’s success at FIT demonstrates the Caribbean’s increasing appeal in Latin America,” said Elsa Petersen, Founder and CEO of EM Marketing. “The growing interest from both travelers and industry professionals confirms the region’s unique value proposition. This event allowed us to showcase the Caribbean’s cultural richness and scenic beauty as well as establish new partnerships and strengthen confidence in the region as a leading destination for international tourism.”

Key achievements at FIT 2024 include:

• 6,114 business appointments, a 39% increase from 2023
• 7,445 meetings facilitated via the FIT B2B system
• Over 30 meetings coordinated by EM Marketing with operators from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru

“The vibrant Latin American travel market represents a strategic partnership opportunity for Caribbean tourism,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO’s Secretary-General and CEO. “Through our ongoing collaboration with Latin American tourism stakeholders, we’re committed to fostering meaningful connections that enhance travel experiences. As we support the growth of this market, we’re excited to work alongside our partners to create sustainable tourism opportunities that benefit both regions.”

With over 34 million travelers originating from Latin America annually, FIT has established itself as the region’s premier tourism exhibition and is poised to set new records at its next edition. CTO and its allied partners view this premier industry event as crucial for elevating the Caribbean’s brand within the Latin American market.