CTO News

CTO to Host Virtual Forum on World Tourism Day 2024

Forum to feature key industry leaders discussing tourism’s role in peace-building and crisis recovery

BARBADOS (September 25, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is set to host a virtual forum celebrating World Tourism Day 2024 on Friday, September 27 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET/AT. The event will be held under the theme “Resilience and Renewal: Building a Peaceful Future”, aligned with United Nations Tourism’s global theme of “Tourism and Peace”.

The forum aims to unite industry leaders, academic experts and regional as well as international development partners to explore tourism’s role in promoting peace, understanding and sustainable development in the Caribbean.

This year’s event provides a platform for critical discussions. Participants will explore how tourism can be a catalyst for peace-building and crisis recovery, which is essential for a region often affected by natural disasters and global challenges. Strengthening resilience and crisis management strategies is critical to ensuring tourism’s positive impact on community well-being.

Timothy Marshall, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT), will deliver the feature address. Remarks will be shared by CTO Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper; CTO Chairman Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport; Sanovnik Destang, the newly appointed president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA); and Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of UN Tourism, who will deliver a pre-recorded message.

A key highlight of the forum will be sessions featuring leading voices in tourism and sustainability.

CTO Appoints Aliyyah Shakeer as Director of Research

BARBADOS (September 19, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has appointed Aliyyah Shakeer as its new Director of Research. With over 15 years of experience in tourism research, strategy development, and policy analysis, Shakeer brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to further strengthen the CTO’s ability to support sustainable tourism growth across the Caribbean.

Aliyyah Shakeer

In her new role, Shakeer will lead the CTO’s research initiatives, deliver actionable insights, and shape data-driven strategies that will enhance the region’s competitiveness and sustainability in the global tourism market.

Shakeer holds a Master of Arts in Tourism Destination Management, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management. Throughout her career, she has successfully transformed complex data into strategic insights, helping shape national tourism policies.

Previously, she served as the Manager of Planning and Research at the Tourism Development Company Limited in Trinidad and Tobago and as a Tourism Research and Policy Analyst at Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Tourism, where she played a pivotal role in revising the National Tourism Policy.

Prior to joining the CTO, Shakeer was the International Technical Relations Coordinator at the Ministry of Digital Transformation. In this capacity, she managed donor relations and successfully secured financial and technical assistance for various national projects, further honing her skills in stakeholder engagement, development financing, and project management.

Dona Regis-Prosper, CEO and Secretary-General of the CTO welcomed Shakeer to the organization: “We are delighted to have Aliyyah Shakeer join our team as Director of Research. Her extensive experience in tourism research and strategy development will be invaluable as we work towards a more competitive and sustainable Caribbean tourism industry.”

Shakeer expressed her enthusiasm for the new role: “I am excited to join the CTO team and contribute to the development of the region’s tourism sector. I look forward to supporting our member countries and territories as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s dynamic tourism landscape, ensuring that the Caribbean remains a leading global destination.”

The CTO is confident that Shakeer’s expertise will play a critical role in driving the region’s tourism research agenda and supporting evidence-based decision-making for the continued success of Caribbean tourism.

CTO Announces New Allied Board of Directors

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (September 13, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) announces the election of its new Allied Board of Directors.

The newly elected board members include:

• William “Billy” Griffith, Managing Director of WCG Consulting Ltd
• Casey Davy, CEO of Breeze Travel Solutions
• Beverley Nicholson Doty, CEO of Figment Design
• Claudine Pohl, Founder & CEO of Lemoneight
• Danny Cohanpour, CEO & Founder of Trove Tourism Development Advisors

Reappointed as Chairman, William “Billy” Griffith will once again lead the board. In his leadership role, he will collaborate closely with the CTO’s Executive Committee and Secretary-General & CEO, Dona Regis-Prosper.

Griffith expressed his gratitude, “I am deeply honored to serve as Chair of the Allied Board of Directors of the CTO for the next two years. This opportunity to serve again is a testament to the trust and confidence placed in me by my fellow board members and stakeholders; for that, I am truly grateful.”

Griffith added, “The CTO plays a pivotal role in driving innovation, collaboration and strategic development within our industry. I am committed to continuing our mission of fostering growth and excellence. As we navigate the evolving landscape, I look forward to working with our talented board, alongside Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper and her team, to address the challenges ahead, seize opportunities, and build on the solid foundation we’ve established together.”

Regis-Prosper congratulated new and outgoing board members, “The dedication and expertise of our Allied Board members are essential to the CTO’s success. I look forward to working with them to drive the Caribbean tourism sector forward. Looking ahead, we are focused on further expanding our allied membership by strengthening partnerships and profoundly impacting our region’s leading sector.”

The CTO Allied Membership offers private sector entities, non-governmental organizations, and other institutions a strategic advantage in the Caribbean tourism sector. Members benefit from access to the CTO’s statistical reports, notifications on tenders and opportunities, and government engagement facilitation. They also enjoy exclusive partnership and registration opportunities at CTO events, along with the chance to contribute their expertise to regional tourism programming, including webinar spotlights.

Allied members, represented on the CTO Board of Directors, contribute valuable insights that help shape the organization’s activities. They ensure the integration of the private sector’s needs and interests into the CTO’s mission.

CTO Welcomes New Sustainable Tourism Consultant

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (September 12, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the appointment of Trinidad and Tobago national Narendra Ramgulam as its new Sustainable Tourism Consultant.

Ramgulam brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position, focusing on advancing sustainable practices across the Caribbean region.

As a leading regional tourism development agency, CTO is committed to promoting sustainable tourism that benefits the Caribbean people economically and socially. Ramgulam’s appointment aligns with the CTO’s mission to create a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector in the Caribbean. His expertise in sustainable tourism, coupled with his passion for the region, will be instrumental in driving forward initiatives that promote responsible and environmentally friendly tourism practices.

Ramgulam previously served as Director of Tourism Product Development & Destination Management at the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, where his work led to prestigious sustainability awards and a strengthened reputation for safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served as a Postgraduate Coordinator and Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

Ramgulam continues the work previously spearheaded by Amanda Charles, who managed the CTO’s sustainability initiatives for eight years, organizing and participating in international and regional conferences and sustainable tourism initiatives. “We are grateful for Amanda’s considerable contributions to the CTO’s sustainable tourism development initiatives throughout the years,” said CTO Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper. “Her dedication and expertise have been invaluable in advancing our position and have contributed to sustainable development in the region,” she added.

The CTO leader looks forward to furthering the CTO’s sustainability agenda in the future: “With Narendra’s proven track record and extensive knowledge, we are confident that he will significantly contribute to advancing sustainable tourism practices across the Caribbean. We are excited that we can leverage his expertise and guide our member countries towards a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector.”

Ramgulam is a prolific researcher with 13 publications in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. He is also an active participant in tourism conferences, sharing his expertise in the areas of sustainable tourism, tourism anthropology, tourism product development, and economic diversification.