Caribbean Week

Caribbean Week in New York Comeback a Success

NEW YORK (June 13, 2023) – Kenneth Bryan, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), described the first post-pandemic Caribbean Week in New York as a success as public and private sector leaders and stakeholders addressed priority issues impacting the region during various meetings and activities.

The week’s events in New York comprised business meetings; an informative tourism marketing forum, during which speakers examined current travel trends and future projections for the region’s main economic driver; and a bustling Media Marketplace, where officials shared travel and tourism updates with the members of the working press.

Speaking at a press conference on the final day of Caribbean Week, Chairman Bryan, who also serves as the Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands, stated that the CTO was committed to continuing the development of research, knowledge, and information. This approach is intended to guide its members on “how best to be effective in the tourism industry, but also to help us market what we do as a region.”

A critical issue discussed during the ministerial meetings was the persistent problem of sargassum washing up on the region’s beaches, damaging foreshores and negatively impacting tourism. Suggesting the phenomenon was caused by global warming, Bryan stated that the CTO was endeavoring to identify strategies to manage the onslaught of the malodorous seaweed, such as implementing preventative measures or collecting the sargassum for positive uses.

Air connectivity was a significant point of discussion for the assembled tourism directors, ministers, and commissioners of tourism. Bryan acknowledged the challenges destinations are facing due to the high costs associated with airline operations, saying “There’s no easy solution.” In addition to dialogue with the World Bank, CARICOM and the Caribbean Development Bank, studies are underway to explore solutions for financing increased connectivity in the short- and medium-term.

Chairman Bryan revealed that destinations with their own airlines, such as the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, “are trying to work on ways of helping our brothers and sisters with connectivity.”

During the meeting, the CTO officially welcomed Bermuda back as its 25th member. Chairman Bryan expressed his ambition to increase the membership to 30. The CTO recently celebrated the U.S. Virgin Islands’ return to its fold.

Discussing the organization’s financial condition, Bryan reported improvement as member countries and territories continued to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. Many destinations, he noted, were performing better than they were in 2019 with average daily rates “through the roof”. “So our finances are back (on stream),” he said, enabling the organization to restructure and adapt its marketing strategies to the evolving landscape.

“Marketing today is totally different than it was even five years ago,” Bryan asserted, citing strategies such as leveraging influencer marketing and using artificial intelligence to maximize arrivals and revenue.

Bryan disclosed that the CTO is also exploring ways to augment revenue through data sharing and data research. Furthermore, progress has been made in identifying a candidate to fill the position of Secretary General and the Chairman said he anticipates an announcement in the near future.

During the week, some member countries hosted independent events and gatherings with strategic partners, travel trade stakeholders and members of their diasporas, leveraging their presence in The Big Apple to strengthen those critical relationships.

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, LinkedIn and Instagram to be part of the conversation.

Caribbean Week Returns to New York City in June

NEW YORK, NY (March 28, 2023) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the highly anticipated return of Caribbean Week in New York, scheduled for June 5-8, 2023, in “The Big Apple”.

The event, being held under the auspices of the CTO Foundation, aims to showcase the vibrant Caribbean culture, foster engagement with the media, promote thought leadership, and encourage networking within the tourism industry.

Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of the CTO noted, “We are thrilled to be able to bring back this important event that highlights the dynamism of the Caribbean and our strong connection to the Northeastern USA, which is one of our primary source markets.”

Walters explained that Caribbean Week’s hiatus over the last few years was due to the pandemic. Travel restrictions implemented globally presented not only resource challenges but also general uncertainty regarding the recovery of travel. As a result, the ability to resume activities in the marketplace was impacted.

Caribbean Week 2023 is set to showcase a dynamic lineup of events and business meetings, including those involving the CTO Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Council of Ministers and Commissioners. These discussions will focus on the critical issues that are shaping the direction and growth of Caribbean tourism, providing an opportunity for robust and strategic dialogue.

A Welcome Cocktail Reception hosted by CTO Allied Members is scheduled during the week, and attendees can also look forward to a Tourism Industry Marketing Conference aimed at exploring trends in destination growth.

The CTO will stage a press breakfast, along with the popular Media Marketplace, which will provide a platform for Caribbean countries to engage with trade, consumer and diaspora media.

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

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

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.