CTO Honors Journalistic Excellence at Annual Caribbean Media Awards in New York

NEW YORK (June 5, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) celebrated leading storytellers, broadcasters and digital creators from the U.S. and Caribbean during the annual Caribbean Media Awards Luncheon, a signature event of Caribbean Week in New York. Sponsored by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the luncheon honored outstanding journalism and content creation that showcase the Caribbean’s people, culture, environment and evolving tourism landscape.

“Great storytelling has the power to transform perceptions and create deeper connections between people and destinations,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO’s secretary-general and CEO. “The individuals recognized through the Caribbean Media Awards are helping to tell a more complete story of our region — one that goes beyond beaches and resorts to showcase our people and heritage. Through thoughtful, impactful journalism, they are elevating Caribbean voices and bringing greater visibility to the stories that matter most.”

caribbean media awards 2026

Awards were presented across three categories: Storytelling Excellence, Digital and Innovation, and Voices of the Caribbean. CTO commended this year’s entries for their depth, originality and commitment to authentic storytelling beyond traditional destination promotion.

Among the winners, Dana Givens earned Best Consumer Story for “Jamaica’s Greenest Parish Is Its Best-Kept Secret” in National Geographic while Christina Jelski of Travel Weekly received Best Trade Article for her interview with former Bahamas Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu. Ryan Bachoo of Guardian Media in Trinidad & Tobago won Best Podcast/Radio for his examination of sargassum’s impact on Caribbean tourism, and the Jamaica Tourist Board captured the Social Media Campaign award for its “Reggae Marathon 2025” campaign.

In the Voices of the Caribbean category, Meschida Philip’s documentary “Echoes of Waltham” received top honors in Video Production, while Esther Jones of the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network won Best News Reporting for her exploration of the balance between cruise tourism and marine protection in Barbados.

The Personal Immersive Story award went to Ralph Thomassaint Joseph of Documented NY for “Dancing Through Fear: A Haitian Performer Faces Deportation in New York,” praised for its compelling portrayal of the Caribbean diaspora experience. Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald was named Diaspora Journalist of the Year for her reporting on Haiti, while Luis Joel Méndez González of the Center for Investigative Journalism received Emerging Journalist of the Year honors for the investigative “Esencia” series.

The luncheon also marked the official launch of CTO TV, a new digital platform designed to expand the organization’s reach through video storytelling, leadership interviews, policy discussions and destination content. The platform will leverage an existing library of more than 700 videos while creating new opportunities to spotlight Caribbean tourism, innovation and regional collaboration.

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Strong Turnout of Caribbean Tourism Ministers for Caribbean Week in New York

NEW YORK (May 31, 2026) — Against a backdrop of rapid geopolitical change and shifting international markets, a historic post-pandemic turnout of tourism ministers and commissioners from across the Caribbean will converge in Manhattan on Monday, June 1 for the opening of Caribbean Week in New York 2026.

Faced with a complex global landscape, the region’s top tourism thinkers are gathering to fortify the Caribbean’s economic resilience, secure market share, and present a powerful, unified front to international stakeholders.

Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the weeklong summit coincides with the start of Caribbean American Heritage Month and will be anchored at InterContinental New York Times Square under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.”

Ministers and commissioners of tourism from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint-Martin, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), have confirmed for the meeting. The gathering will also include ministerial representation from Belize, Curaçao and Saint Lucia. In addition, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. of the USVI will address the opening.

“In a world experiencing rapid geopolitical shifts, Caribbean Week in New York is a vital arena for strategy development, risk mitigation and collective action,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO secretary-general and CEO. “As leaders from across the region come together, Caribbean Week provides a powerful platform to showcase the innovation, resilience and limitless possibilities of Caribbean tourism.”

Following Monday morning’s official opening ceremony, which features a keynote by CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill of Barbados, the delegation of tourism leaders will immediately take center stage for the highly anticipated session, “Around the Caribbean in 60 Minutes.”

caribbean week tourism officials

Confirmed for Caribbean Week in New York 2026: Pictured (top row, left to right): Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Tourism, The Bahamas; Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Tourism, Guyana; Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism, Barbados; and Dr. Kishore Shallow, Minister of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Second row (left to right): Rechelline Leerdam, Commissioner of Tourism, St. Eustatius; Zhavargo Jolly, Minister of Tourism, Turks and Caicos Islands; Adrian Thomas, Minister of Tourism, Grenada; Stéphanie Smith, Minister of Tourism, Haiti; and Gary Rutty, Minister of Tourism, Cayman Islands.
Third row (left to right): Dr. Natalio Wheatley, Premier and Minister of Tourism, British Virgin Islands; Cardigan Connor, Minister of Tourism, Anguilla; Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands; Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts and Nevis; and Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Bermuda.
Bottom row (left to right): Valérie Damaseau, Commissioner of Tourism, Saint-Martin; Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Antigua and Barbuda; Zorisha Hackett, Secretary of Tourism, Tobago; and Luce Hodge-Smith, Junior Minister of Tourism, British Virgin Islands.

 

The tourism leaders will formally convene on Tuesday morning for the closed-door Ministerial Council meeting to discuss critical regional policies, address supply side and airlift challenges, and align on sustainable development initiatives. Throughout the week, ministers along with directors of tourism will engage directly with international travel industry stakeholders, travel advisors and tour operators, and global media outlets to secure the region’s economic future.

The comprehensive 2026 program highlights key strategic themes to navigate the changing global environment, including airlift expansion, global tourism marketing, sustainability and technological innovation.

A Caribbean Media Awards celebration, the CTO Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon and the Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Dinner & Awards are also on the agenda. Hosted by Caribbean media personality Alex Jordan, the awards dinner will feature a keynote address by Christine Valls, managing director for the Caribbean and Latin America at United Airlines, and will include the launch of a new scholarship fund for women in tourism.

christine valls

Christine Valls, Managing Director for the Caribbean and Latin America at United Airlines, will keynote the Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Dinner & Awards during Caribbean Week in New York 2026.

The launch of CTO TV, the introduction of CTO’s Supply Side Committee, and the CTO Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase are among the additional highlights of the week.

The week is supported by the following sponsors:

Platinum Elite: U.S. Virgin Islands
Gold Elite: Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands
Gold: The Bahamas, St. Kitts
Silver: Global Ports Holding, Grenada, Sandals, SITA
Bronze: Barbados, Sojern, Travel & Adventure Show, Trove Tourism Development Advisors
Contributing Sponsors: Bay Gardens Resorts, Carnival Corporation, Diamonds International, Expedia Group, Sunrise Airways, Travel Unity, TRÈFLE (British Virgin Islands), Virgin Voyages
Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase Partners: Inter-American Development Bank, Royal Caribbean Group Foundation

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Caribbean Week in New York Returns with Strong Regional Leadership Presence

NEW YORK (May 26, 2026) — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley, and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Chairman and Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill will lead a high-level delegation of Caribbean tourism ministers, commissioners and directors at Caribbean Week in New York 2026.

The premier industry event returns to New York starting Monday, June 1, coinciding with the beginning of Caribbean American Heritage Month. Organized by CTO, this year’s gathering is being held at InterContinental New York Times Square under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.”

tourism officials photo

“Caribbean Week in New York is a critical platform for collaboration, strategy development and celebration of our region’s tourism industry,” said CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper. “We are delighted to welcome Governor Bryan, Premier Wheatley, Minister Gooding-Edghill and senior tourism leaders from across the Caribbean as we highlight the strength, resilience and infinite potential of our destinations.”

Governor Albert Bryan Jr., the ninth elected governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, will deliver remarks at the Opening Ceremony on Monday, June 1. He will be joined by ministers, commissioners, directors of tourism and senior industry executives from across the region for a full week of strategic meetings, workshops, networking and special events.

Premier Wheatley will participate in a highly anticipated session titled “Around the Caribbean in 60 Minutes” with the CTO Council of Ministers, while Minister Gooding-Edghill will deliver the opening keynote address.

The program features strategic discussions on tourism leadership, marketing strategies, airlift development, inclusive tourism, sustainability and the next generation of Caribbean tourism innovation. Additional highlights include an all-day marketing conference, Caribbean Media Awards, CTO Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon, the launch of CTO TV, a media and travel trade marketplace, an allied members showcase breakfast, and the official launch of a new supply-side initiative for Caribbean tourism.

Caribbean Week in New York 2026 is supported by the following sponsors:

Platinum Elite: United States Virgin Islands

Gold Elite: Antigua & Barbuda, British Virgin Islands

Gold: The Bahamas, St. Kitts

Silver: Global Ports Holding, Grenada, Sandals, SITA

Bronze: Barbados, Sojern, Travel & Adventure Show, Trove Tourism Development Advisors

Contributing Sponsors: Bay Gardens Resorts, Carnival Corporation (in partnership with Acordis International Corp.), Diamonds International, Expedia Group, Sunrise Airways, Travel Unity, TRÈFLE (British Virgin Islands), Virgin Voyages

Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase Partners: Inter-American Development Bank, Royal Caribbean

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Redefining Caribbean Luxury: How Destinations Can Attract the Global One Percent

 

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A strategic perspective on how branding, experience design, and digital presence can shape the Caribbean’s appeal to the world’s most discerning travelers.

Private Arrival: How the One Percent Experiences the Caribbean

For The One Percent, the journey is as important as the destination. Private aviation has become an essential part of how this audience experiences the Caribbean, offering not only convenience, but complete control over time, privacy, and access.

The Caribbean holds a unique position in this landscape. Its geography of islands, secluded coastlines, and exclusive enclaves makes it particularly suited to private jet travel. For high-net-worth individuals, the ability to move seamlessly between destinations, often within a single itinerary, creates a level of freedom that commercial travel cannot replicate.

Private aviation enables direct access to destinations that are otherwise less connected, unlocking a more intimate and curated experience of the region. Smaller airports, private terminals, and tailored ground handling services contribute to a journey that feels effortless from departure to arrival.

Beyond logistics, the experience itself reflects a broader expectation of lifestyle. Privacy, discretion, and personalization are fundamental. Travelers seek environments where every detail is considered, from arrival protocols to villa transfers, yacht connections, and bespoke itineraries designed around their preferences.

This creates an opportunity for Caribbean destinations to further refine their positioning. By aligning infrastructure, hospitality, and services with the expectations of private jet travelers, destinations can elevate their appeal to a highly valuable audience. Integration between aviation, luxury hospitality, real estate, and yachting ecosystems becomes essential in delivering a cohesive experience.

The Caribbean is not simply a destination for the one percent. It is a region that can define what seamless, elevated travel looks like. Through a thoughtful approach to access, service, and experience design, it can continue to attract and inspire this exceptional audience.

 

charley baouminaCharley Baouamina
Founder & CEO

Charley Baouamina is the Founder & CEO of Charley SIGNATURE, a global luxury branding agency, and creator of The One Percent, a media platform dedicated to high-end travel, hospitality, and UHNW audiences.

LinkedIn: Charley SIGNATURE LinkedIn
Instagram: Instagram: @charleysignature

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The Caribbean This Summer: Four Trends Every Traveler Is Chasing

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From Blue Mind escapes to Gen Z rediscoveries, here’s why the Caribbean is the destination story of summer 2026.

Something is shifting in how people plan their summer travel. After years of chasing bucket-list places and Instagram-famous locations, travelers are now asking different questions: Will I feel restored when I leave? Will my family actually connect? Is there somewhere just as beautiful that hasn’t been overrun yet? The Caribbean has always been the answer and in summer 2026, travelers are catching up.

Wellness travel is leading the surge. Fueled by the science of Blue Mind, the restorative mental state triggered by being near water, travelers are seeking ocean-centered wellness experiences that go far beyond the spa.

The most effective approach for hotels isn’t a spa package with ocean views. It’s building the water experience itself into the wellness narrative, think guided ocean meditations at dawn, free-diving instruction as a mindfulness practice, paddleboard yoga at sunrise, or beachside sound healing. These are the bookable moments that make headlines and drive conversions.

Multigenerational travel is reshaping the family summer trip. Grandparents, parents, and children are traveling together with a shared appetite for culturally immersive, genuinely memorable experiences. Multigenerational travel is not a niche, but a dominant force reshaping how resorts design programming, how destinations craft packages, and how PR teams pitch family stories.

The key insight is that these travelers are not looking for a kids’ club while adults relax separately. They’re looking for shared experiences that create lasting family memories across every generation simultaneously.

Europe’s over-tourism crisis is sending travelers looking for alternatives and destination dupes are having a major moment. With Santorini capping cruise ships and the Amalfi Coast managing pedestrian traffic, the Caribbean’s uncrowded beaches, authentic local culture, and accessible pricing have never been a more compelling sell.

And Gen Z is arriving. According to Google Flights, destinations like St. Maarten and Dominican Republic are among this summer’s trending international destinations. This generation isn’t chasing the Millennial resort experience, they’re going deeper, seeking local character, cultural authenticity, and the feeling of having discovered something real.

Knowing the trends is the starting point. Here’s how Caribbean destinations and hotels can convert them into measurable results this summer. Lead with water. Every wellness pitch this summer should center the ocean or coastline experience.

Design for the whole family. Multigenerational groups are the highest-value summer booking segment. Ensure your property or destination has a clear answer to the question every family is asking: what does everyone do?

Meet Gen Z where they are. This generation doesn’t want to be marketed to; they want to discover. Give them the local details, the off-the-beaten-path access, and the authentic cultural moments that make them feel like insiders.

 

amy sedenoAmy Sedeno, VP & Partner, Strategic Development, CIIC PR

Amy Sedeno brings over a decade of hospitality PR experience with a rich journalism background, leading CIIC PR’s travel, tourism, food & beverage, consumer, and hospitality divisions.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysedeno
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ciicpr
@ciicpr Instagram

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