CTO News

Caribbean Tourism and Cruise Leaders Align on Resilience, Recovery and Shared Growth

MIAMI (December 20, 2025) – Amid the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in October this year, Caribbean tourism ministers, directors and executives gathered aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas this month for an “Iconic Summit” hosted during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) second annual Caribbean Weekend in Miami, to discuss the cruise industry’s pivotal role in recovery and long-term resilience and growth.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley detailed his company’s rapid response to the crisis, including delivering more than 100 pallets of essential supplies, generators, food and water to Jamaica’s port of Falmouth, working with partners to support distribution in hard-hit areas, and helping to provide meals in affected communities. In a candid discussion with CTO Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper, Bayley said the company sees itself as part of the Caribbean community: “I think over the years we’ve always tried to support the Caribbean communities. Especially in times of crisis, we answer the phone, and we try our best.”

CTO Chairman Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, thanked Royal Caribbean and his regional partners for their compassion and generosity in supporting Jamaica and Haiti in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

CTO Chairman Ian Gooding-Edghill (left) with Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley after the Iconic Summit

He also stressed the importance of building bridges between governments and the private sector, between countries and industries, and between challenges and shared opportunities. “The future of Caribbean tourism depends on our ability to reimagine together — to innovate, to collaborate and to believe in the boundless potential of our region,” he said, emphasizing data-driven policy, stronger connectivity and growth that prioritizes local communities.

Bayley called for “master planning” to ensure destinations can manage sustainable tourism development. He highlighted opportunities for cruise lines and destinations to collaborate and expand pathways to employment for Caribbean youth, including meeting with Caribbean labor ministers and industry leaders to address long-standing barriers to workforce participation. In addition, he elaborated on Royal Caribbean Group’s focus on forward-thinking sustainability initiatives such as environmental technologies, shore power systems, and resilient port development.

As the region welcomed millions of cruise visitors in 2025 despite setbacks, the summit delivered a clear message: with storms growing fiercer and more frequent, the Caribbean’s tourism engine remains vital to economies and jobs — and resilience must be built into every plan.

The event also featured cultural touches, including a Wizard of Oz performance and an appearance by the ship’s “Chief Dog Officer,” Rover, but the tone remained purposeful — including a call for all hands-on deck, and a reminder that tourism is everyone’s business.

Caribbean Resilience on Full Display as Jamaica and Haiti Vow Recovery After Hurricane Melissa

MIAMI (December 11, 2025) – In an impassioned address delivered at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) annual Holiday Dinner & Fundraiser on Friday, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, called on the region to transform its legendary resilience from sentiment into science, warning that the era of unprecedented mega-storms has arrived.

Speaking during CTO’s Caribbean Weekend in Miami at Loews Coral Gables Hotel just weeks after Hurricane Melissa – described by meteorologists as one of the most intense storms ever recorded in the Atlantic basin – Minister Bartlett revealed that preliminary damage assessments place losses in Jamaica alone at between 28-32 percent of GDP, with some international estimates exceeding US$10 billion.

“Once again, the recovery of tourism will be the spearhead for the recovery of the nation,” he declared, pointing to historic precedents with Hurricanes Ivan (2004), Irma and Maria (2017) and Dorian (2019). “When tourism restarts, incomes return, hope returns, and dignity returns.”

The Minister underscored that travel and tourism accounts for more than 30 percent of GDP across several Caribbean states and over 60 percent in some of the most tourism-dependent economies. In Jamaica, the sector directly and indirectly supports more than 300,000 jobs.

Drawing on three decades of hurricane impacts, he cited ECLAC figures showing US$136 billion in regional damage between 1990 and 2008, and stressed that two events in just two years – Beryl (2024) and now Melissa – signal a new climate reality that demands urgent, coordinated action.

“We need to build capacity, to not only foretell disruptions of this nature, but to be able to mitigate, to manage, to recover quickly, and to thrive afterwards,” Bartlett urged, highlighting the work of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) which he cofounded in Jamaica as a vital regional and global resource.

Innocent Junior Richard, Deputy Chief of Staff to Haiti’s Minister of Tourism, John Herrick Dessources, spoke to attendees from the heart. Having taken two days instead of two hours to reach Miami after domestic flights were suspended, Richard declared: “We want to let CTO know that we’re still alive, we’re still fighting.”

He reminded the audience that Haiti had faced Hurricane Matthew (2016), the devastating 2021 earthquake, and now Melissa – yet the country refuses to be defined by disaster. “When Haitians say ‘Sak Pase,’ you (answer) ‘N’ap boule’ … (it means) we’re fighting and we continue to fight,” he said, before thanking CTO and every guest in the room: “I hope you (have) come with your check to contribute for Haiti and Jamaica … Merci anpil for your generosity. Haiti is back in CTO!”

Minister Bartlett also thanked CTO and its partners for their solidarity with Jamaica and Haiti. “The same seas that draw millions of visitors also carry storms of historic force. Yet in every season of adversity, one truth remains constant. The Caribbean rises. Our capacity to rise is not an occasional response, it is our way of being. That is what we mean when we speak of resilience,” he said. “Tonight my heart is full, and I’ve never (been) more proud of my Caribbean-ness,” he declared.

Earlier in the evening, Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO Ministerial Council and Minister of Tourism and International Transport for Barbados, expressed regional solidarity in support of Jamaica and Haiti: “We’re coming together as one Caribbean family, united by our resilience, our creativity, and our shared hope for the future.”

Patrons enjoyed musical performances by Vincentian soca sensation Kevin Lyttle, Jamaican reggae artists Shuga and Spragga Benz, and U.S. Virgin Islands steel pannist Stan Brown. Award-winning Barbadian media personality Alex Jordan was the master of ceremonies.

Proceeds from the CTO fundraiser will support tourism workers impacted by the storm.

Sponsors of the evening’s fundraiser included Barbados (Gold); U.S. Virgin Islands (Silver); Antigua & Barbuda, CTO Allied Board, and Dominica (Bronze).

CTO Unveils Dynamic Lineup for Caribbean Weekend in Miami

MIAMI (November 26, 2025) – A distinguished lineup of regional leaders, global tourism executives and Caribbean creatives will headline the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Weekend in Miami, taking place December 4-8, 2025, at Loews Coral Gables Hotel.

Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, will keynote the holiday dinner and fundraiser.

Among the featured talent are Vincentian soca sensation Kevin Lyttle, Jamaican musician Shuga, and U.S. Virgin Islands steel pan player Stan Brown who will perform at CTO’s fundraising dinner on Friday, December 5. Award-winning Barbadian media personality Alex Jordan will serve as master of ceremonies.

The annual four-day gathering brings together ministers, directors, entrepreneurs and partners committed to advancing Caribbean tourism and supporting communities in Jamaica and Haiti affected by Hurricane Melissa.

A full program-at-a-glance is available at https://bit.ly/caribbeanweekend.

Featured Speakers and Participants

Caribbean Weekend will feature contributions from leading voices shaping the regional and global tourism landscape, including:

• Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman, CTO Ministerial Council; Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados
• Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica
• Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture & Sport, Bermuda
• Andrea Franklin, Chairman, CTO Board of Directors; CEO, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
• Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica
• Erin Wright, Acting CEO and Chief Operations Officer, Bermuda Tourism Authority
• Latia Duncombe, Chairman, CTO Cruise, Yachting and Ferry Committee; Director General of Tourism, Bahamas
• Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO, CTO
• William “Billy” Griffith, Chairman, CTO Allied Board of Directors
• Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean
• Jeff Hoffman, award-winning global entrepreneur, founder, investor and international keynote speaker
• Jacqueline Johnson, Chairman, CTO Foundation
• Neil Walters, Director of Finance and Resource Management, CTO

These leaders and innovators will address sustainable growth, cruise and airlift development, technology and innovation, resilience financing and the ongoing modernization of Caribbean tourism strategy.

On Friday, December 5, CTO and its Allied Members will host a holiday dinner and fundraiser with a goal of raising US$100,000 for the CTO Foundation, supporting disaster relief and tourism restoration in Jamaica and Haiti. Minister Edmund Bartlett will deliver the feature address at the event.

Kevin Lyttle to appear

Kevin Lyttle, the internationally acclaimed soca artist who reshaped the genre’s global reach, burst onto the music scene with his 2003 mega-hit “Turn Me On,” a chart-topper across Europe, Australia and the United States that went multi-platinum and earned placements on MTV and the Billboard Hot 100. He followed with additional No. 1 singles, including “Drive Me Crazy,” “Home for Carnival,” and later the reggaetón Billboard Tropical Chart-topper “Midnight.”

Lyttle has also proven himself a savvy entrepreneur with his Caribbean delivery app launched in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and a committed philanthropist through the Janice Lyttle Foundation, which has donated major medical supplies and is committed to battling heart disease.

Performance by Shuga

Born in Montego Bay, the soulful reggae artiste Shuga first gained national attention after winning Digicel Rising Stars in 2009. Her career spans collaborations with icons such as Marcia Griffiths, Queen Ifrica, Agent Sasco and Busy Signal, along with international tours and acclaimed recordings. Preparing for the release of her debut album Girl from Montego Bay next year, Shuga continues to deliver music rooted in resilience, empowerment and authenticity.

Master of Ceremonies: Alex Jordan

Award-winning media professional Alex Jordan will serve as MC for the evening. With more than 25 years of experience in broadcasting, diplomacy and community leadership, she is known for her coverage of seven ICC Cricket World Cups, two Olympic Games, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. A Silver Sony Award honoree for her BBC coverage of Notting Hill and Leeds Carnival, Jordan brings an authentic Caribbean voice to global audiences.

Fluent in four languages and committed to youth development, she currently serves as Communications Lead for The Pierhead Barbados and as a Thought Leader with the National Transformation Initiative. She also holds board roles with Enterprise Growth Fund, GovTech Barbados Limited, and Global Super League.

On Saturday, December 6, attendees will participate in the signature “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism Together” summit aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Sponsored by Royal Caribbean, this high-level forum features a one-on-one discussion between Michael Bayley and Dona Regis-Prosper, and will explore innovation, sustainability and competitiveness across the tourism ecosystem.

The program also features an Airbnb Tax Symposium, a timely session examining sharing-accommodation trends, tax policy considerations and opportunities for strengthened collaboration between governments, regulators and short-term rental platforms.

On Sunday, December 7, Caribbean Weekend concludes with the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards & Fundraiser, honoring individuals whose work advances tourism, culture, media, business and sustainable development across the region. For further information, visit cmexmedia.org.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore the CTO Knowledge Exchange Kiosk, showcasing CTO’s latest research, intelligence products, training programs and development tools designed to support tourism’s growth, digital transformation and resilience.

CTO and ICF Sign MOU to Advance Sustainable Tourism Development in the Caribbean

LONDON, United Kingdom (November 12, 2025) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ICF, a US-headquartered consulting firm and global solutions provider, to explore opportunities in advancing sustainable tourism development, climate adaptation, and resilience building in the Caribbean.

The MOU outlines areas of potential collaboration to support the sustainable growth of the region’s tourism sector, including technical assistance, destination governance, market competitiveness, and capacity building. The parties intend to engage residents through inclusive governance models, promote public-private partnerships, and share knowledge to advance responsible tourism practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean.

Under the MOU, CTO and ICF may cooperate on technical advisory services for sustainable and regenerative tourism, provide expertise as a potential partner in technical assistance initiatives, and explore capacity-building programs for tourism stakeholders on topics of mutual interest.

“This collaboration reinforces our mission to lead sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean by bringing together strategic partners with the expertise and global reach to help strengthen our member countries,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of CTO. “ICF’s extensive experience in destination strategy, climate resilience and sustainable development will help CTO and our members continue to build a more inclusive, competitive and sustainable tourism sector for the region.”

Echoing that sentiment, Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos, Head of Tourism at ICF, stated: “ICF is committed to the responsible development of tourism, and our mission lies in providing solutions to the most pressing challenges destinations face. We are very excited to be partnering with CTO to support the organization’s efforts and objectives for the coming years focusing on the sustainable tourism development of the Caribbean. We are ready and have joined forces with CTO for the collective benefit of the region. ICF aims to be a trusted partner of CTO on propelling regional tourism development by providing our global tourism solutions that are strategically combined with interdisciplinary expertise from across ICF’s sectors of focus.”

Signed in London during World Travel Market last week, the MOU will remain in effect until 2029.

Caribbean leaders to convene for CTO’s Caribbean Weekend in Miami next month

MIAMI (November 13, 2025) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will host Caribbean Weekend in Miami 2025, a milestone four-day gathering that brings together tourism ministers, directors, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the region December 4–8, 2025, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel.

The comprehensive program will address critical issues facing Caribbean tourism while celebrating the region’s resilience and fostering collaboration among public and private partners. A full program-at-a-glance is available at https://bit.ly/caribbeanweekend.

In addition to strategic business and committee meetings, CTO will host a holiday dinner and fundraiser on Friday, December 5. The festive evening, held in partnership with CTO’s Allied Members, aims to raise US $100,000 for the CTO Foundation in support of disaster relief and tourism restoration in Jamaica and Haiti, assisting tourism workers whose livelihoods were impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

“This fundraiser embodies the spirit of Caribbean unity,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of CTO. “As we celebrate the holiday season, we’re also standing together to help our brothers and sisters in Jamaica and Haiti rebuild and restore hope to communities.”

Saturday features the signature “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism Together” summit, a high-level gathering aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Sponsored by Royal Caribbean Group, this summit will convene regional leaders to discuss innovative strategies for sustainable tourism development and economic growth across the Caribbean.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can visit the CTO Knowledge Exchange Kiosk, which showcases the organization’s wide range of products, services and resources that support tourism growth, innovation and sustainability across the region.

The weekend culminates with the annual Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards & Fundraiser on Sunday, December 7, which celebrates individuals whose work has had a transformative impact on Caribbean communities through tourism, business, media, culture and sustainable development.

Caribbean Weekend in Miami 2025 represents a pivotal moment for regional tourism, combining strategic planning, humanitarian support and industry collaboration under one comprehensive program.