2025 News

CTO Secretary-General Highlights Urgent Need for Climate Action at ITB Berlin

BERLIN, Germany (March 15, 2025) – Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper called for immediate and tangible climate action, financing and collaboration to protect tourism-dependent destinations during a high-profile panel discussion at ITB Berlin, one of the world’s leading travel trade shows, which concluded last week.

Regis-Prosper was speaking during a panel on the Orange Stage titled “From Promise to Progress: Steering Tourism in Challenging Times”, alongside global tourism executives from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, the European Commission, and NECSTouR.

Highlighting the Caribbean’s vulnerability to climate change, Regis-Prosper stressed the urgent need for practical tools and financing to help tourism-dependent regions navigate escalating climate impacts.

“Sustainability is our currency,” Regis-Prosper explained, emphasizing the Caribbean’s unique economic dependency. “At least eight out of the 10 most [tourism]-dependent nations in the entire world are based in the Caribbean. And for some of our destinations, up to 80% of GDP is tourism-based.”

Regis-Prosper added that while Caribbean destinations have already taken significant steps toward sustainability, including community-based tourism, circular economy initiatives, and strict regulations on single-use plastics, access to financing remains a critical challenge.

“There’s a saying that faith without works is dead. We certainly have the faith in the Caribbean. We are willing to work – we are hardworking people – but the gap is that access to financing, and that’s how you get to work,” Regis-Prosper told attendees, referencing the Caribbean’s active participation at COP29 in Baku last year.

The panel, moderated by Professor Willy Legrand of IU International University of Applied Sciences and Heleri Rande of Think Hospitality, also featured Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Communications at WTTC, who highlighted that more than half of the world’s top travel and tourism companies have now committed to clear climate targets. “We are seeing some progress, but we know we need to do a lot more,” Messina said on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Glen Mandziuk, CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, advocated for global adoption of standardized metrics to measure sustainability. “We want [transparent], verifiable real-time data,” Mandziuk noted, adding that industry leadership is essential.

Misa Labarille, Policy Officer for Tourism with the EU, announced her organization’s plans to launch its first dedicated tourism sustainability strategy next year, saying the commission is prioritizing tourism amid mounting global pressures and challenges. “Going forward, what we want to do is to launch a new strategy, a new strategy for sustainable tourism,” Labarille said, noting extensive consultations planned throughout the year.

John Fitzgibbon, Managing Director of NECSTouR, underscored the essential role destination management organizations play in delivering these EU-wide strategies. “It’s really important that the voice of the regions, who are at the sharp end, in [the] frontline of delivering these EU strategies and national policies as well … have something to say about all of this,” he stated.

Concluding the discussion, the panelists each chose one defining word for the tourism industry in the year ahead. Regis-Prosper selected “reimagine”, reflecting her call for a fresh approach to tourism that balances economic growth and climate responsibility. Other panelists emphasized “together” (Messina), “innovation” (Mandziuk), “smart” (Labarille), and “opportunity” (Fitzgibbon).

ITB Berlin 2025, which attracted over 100,000 visitors (with 87% comprising international attendees), reinforced tourism’s pivotal role in shaping sustainable futures.

CTO Launches Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase to Inspire Future Caribbean Tourism Leaders

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (March 12, 2025) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has launched the Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase 2025, a dynamic competition designed to engage and empower the next generation of Caribbean tourism leaders. Open to tertiary-level students from universities and colleges across CTO member countries, the initiative challenges student teams to develop forward-thinking, sustainable business proposals that drive economic growth and enhance the region’s global tourism appeal.

Through research, collaboration and presentation, students will explore key facets of the tourism industry, designing initiatives that contribute to the long-term success of Caribbean destinations. The competition fosters creativity and innovation, bridges academic learning with real-world applications, and provides a platform for students to engage directly with industry leaders.

CTO Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating:

“The future of Caribbean tourism lies in the hands of our young, talented minds. The Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase is more than a competition – it is an opportunity to cultivate innovation, empower students, and ensure a vibrant, sustainable future for our region’s tourism industry. We invite students across CTO member countries to take on this challenge and become part of the movement shaping the Caribbean’s tourism landscape.”

As part of its broader commitment to fostering youth engagement, CTO has long supported educational programs such as the Caribbean Primary School Creative Writing Competition, Regional Tourism Youth Congress, and Caribbean Students Colloquium. The Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase continues this tradition by providing students with the opportunity to gain industry exposure, refine their skills, and develop tourism solutions with lasting impact.

CTO encourages students from across its member countries to register and participate in the Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase 2025. The competition will recognize and award business proposals that demonstrate the greatest potential for positive social, economic and environmental impact while showing strong promise for attracting investment and long-term viability.

The top teams will advance to the Finals, where they will present their innovative initiatives to an audience of tourism industry leaders at Caribbean Week in New York this June.

Caribbean Tourism Leadership Honored at PATWA International Travel Awards

BERLIN, Germany (March 9, 2025) – Caribbean tourism leadership was showered with high praise at the 25th edition of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) World Tourism & Aviation Leaders’ Summit and the PATWA International Travel Awards, held during ITB Berlin last week. The region’s exceptional contributions to global tourism were recognized across multiple categories, with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and its Secretary-General, Dona Regis-Prosper, receiving top honors.

The CTO was named Best Organization – Regional Tourism, a testament to its unwavering commitment to strengthening the Caribbean’s tourism sector through innovation, collaboration and sustainability. Additionally, Regis-Prosper was awarded for Individual Excellence (Tourism Development), recognizing her leadership and stewardship over a revitalized organization in less than two years.

“This honor is a reflection of the dedication and resilience of the entire Caribbean tourism industry, including our very capable leaders,” said Regis-Prosper. “The CTO will continue to champion initiatives that enhance our destinations, foster partnerships, and ensure the region remains a world-class tourism powerhouse,” she added, thanking the Cayman Islands and Barbados for their chairmanship of the organization during her tenure.

Several Caribbean ministers and destinations also received prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to tourism:

Exemplary Tourism Leadership

• Edmund Bartlett (Jamaica) – Tourism Minister of the Year – Innovation
• Marsha Henderson (St. Kitts & Nevis) – Woman Tourism Minister of the Year – Caribbean
• Oneidge Walrond (Guyana) – Tourism Minister of the Year – Ecological Tourism
• Carlos James (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) – Tourism Minister of the Year– Sustainable Tourism

Award-Winning Caribbean Destinations

• Jamaica – Destination of the Year for Romance
• Guyana – Destination of the Year for Natural Attractions
• Nassau & Paradise Island – Destination of the Year for Marine Tourism
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Destination of the Year for Eco-Adventures
• St. Kitts & Nevis – Destination of the Year for Hidden Treasures

The Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) in Jamaica received the Best Venue for Meetings & Conferences award, while Mureen James, Executive Director of MBCC, was honored with a Gold Award for Hospitality Operations. Additionally, Joy Jibrilu, CEO of the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), was recognized with the Caribbean Destination Management Award.

The awards were presented by PATWA Secretary-General Yatan Ahluwalia and Dr. Alain St. Ange, former Minister of Tourism of Seychelles, and highlighted the Caribbean’s continued influence in shaping the global tourism landscape.

CTO and Member Destinations to Take Center Stage at Routes Americas 2025

NASSAU, The Bahamas (February 8, 2025) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and its member destinations will be in the spotlight at Routes Americas 2025, the region’s leading air service development forum, scheduled for February 10-12 at Atlantis Paradise Island, The Bahamas. This critical gathering of airline, airport and tourism executives will serve as a platform to strengthen Caribbean air connectivity, explore new route opportunities, and position the region for continued tourism growth.

CTO will maintain a strong presence throughout the event, hosting a dedicated booth staffed by its media team. The booth will serve as a hub for member destinations to engage with the team for interviews, meetings and discussions.

The conference represents a significant milestone for The Bahamas, reinforcing the destination’s commitment to enhancing global air connectivity and fostering sustainable tourism growth. Over 900 senior industry professionals from airlines, airports and destinations will participate in Routes Americas 2025 in The Bahamas. The impact of the large number of conference delegates will be felt across multiple sectors of the local tourism industry, from transportation and accommodations to retail and tour excursions.

CTO’s participation will include hosting the official luncheon on Monday, February 10, where CTO Chairman Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, will address delegates on the organization’s vision for strengthening Caribbean airlift and tourism resilience.

CTO Secretary-General Regis-Prosper will play a hands-on role in strategic meetings with airline partners, advocating for enhanced connectivity, improved intra-regional travel, and expanded international air service to Caribbean destinations.

She will also moderate a Ministerial Dialogue on “Shaping the Future of Caribbean Tourism”, featuring Minister Gooding-Edghill; Valérie Damaseau, President, Saint Martin Tourist Office; Kenneth Bryan, Deputy Premier & Minister for Tourism & Ports, Cayman Islands; and Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, The Bahamas.

“Strengthening air connectivity to and from the Caribbean requires a unified approach between aviation and tourism stakeholders. Routes Americas 2025 offers an invaluable platform to foster deeper collaboration, unlock new opportunities, and build strategic partnerships that will drive strengthen our aerial highways and bolster sustainable tourism growth and economic prosperity for our region,” said Regis-Prosper.

With The Bahamas serving as host, Routes Americas 2025 presents an unparalleled opportunity for CTO and its member destinations to shape discussions on regional air service competitiveness, tourism expansion, and public-private partnerships. As the Caribbean continues to prioritize airlift as a catalyst for economic growth, this forum will be instrumental in fostering new airline agreements, securing increased accessibility, and positioning the region as a premier travel destination for global visitors.

Immediately following Routes Americas, the CTO Board of Directors and Ministerial Council will hold their first official meetings of the year, on February 13 at Atlantis Paradise Island.

CTO, Springboard Caribbean Invite Regional Leaders to Participate in Virtual Professional Development Program

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS (February 7, 2025) – Building on the success of the previous two editions of the Professional Leadership Skills Program, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is offering another opportunity for regional senior managers, supervisors and executives to enhance their leadership skills in 2025.

The Professional Leadership Skills Program, presented in partnership with Springboard Caribbean — a leading provider of internationally accredited training, development and compliance services for businesses across the Caribbean — will consist of three virtual workshops.

Participants will explore methods of driving business performance through savvy leadership; strategic tools for achieving business goals as a leader; and the importance of developing a caring customer service culture through employee empowerment. Program facilitators include Ann Maria Quail, Managing Director of Springboard Caribbean, and John Quail, Director of Operations at Springboard Caribbean.

“Strong leadership is essential to organizational success. We offer this program to empower our members and all tourism stakeholders with the knowledge, tools and techniques needed to enhance their leadership abilities, build cohesive teams, and drive performance excellence. By strengthening leadership within our organizations, we can create more motivated, high-performing teams that achieve strategic goals and elevate industry standards,” said Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO’s Director of Resource Mobilization and Development.

The program’s virtual workshops take place over five days as follows:

• Workshop 1: Feb. 13 and 14, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. AST
• Workshop 2: Feb. 27 and 28, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. AST
• Workshop 3: March 12, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. AST

Attendance at all five workshops is mandatory to earn the program completion certification and six (6) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points from the Institute of Hospitality.

Participants must also complete all related coursework to qualify for certification. A registration fee of US$300 applies, and the program is limited to 25 participants, accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Through these three engaging, informative sessions, Caribbean hospitality and tourism leaders will learn invaluable tactics necessary for motivating, aligning and shaping their teams in a way that fuels growth and positive change not only within their individual organizations but throughout the region as a whole,” Ann Maria Quail added. “Past participants have noted that the information provided through the program has strengthened their ability to manage and lead within their departments. Our continual partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Organization in hosting these leadership events is further proof of their effectiveness.”

To learn more and register, visit: https://vc1qm6fc4tp.c.updraftclone.com/events-calendar/professional-leadership-skills-2025.