Archive for 2026 News

Curiosity: The Missing Link in Transforming the Guest Experience

Lemon Eight

From scripted service to unforgettable connection—powered by curiosity

I remember standing at a port, watching two experiences unfold at the same time.

Same destination. Same tour. Same timing.

But completely different energy.

In one group, the guide delivered the script—facts, timings, checkpoints. It was smooth, efficient… and forgettable.

In the other, something shifted.

The guide paused, looked at the guests, and asked,

“Where are you visiting from—and what do you love when you travel?”

Suddenly, everything changed.

The stories became more personal. The stops felt intentional. The guests leaned in, laughed more, connected deeper.

That’s curiosity in action.

And it’s not just a feeling—it’s backed by data. Research from Deloitte shows that organizations that foster curiosity see up to 20% higher performance. Insights shared by Harvard Business Review also highlight that curiosity strengthens connection and improves decision-making in real time.

In our tourism, that matters.

Because no two guests are the same.

And the best experiences aren’t delivered—they’re discovered.

Curiosity is the driver who shares a local secret.

The team member who notices hesitation and adapts.

The guide who turns a tour into a story guests will tell long after they leave.

I always say: “Curiosity is where the magic lives—it’s how we turn moments into epic memories.”

And when we lean into it?

We don’t just meet expectations.

We create something guests carry with them, long after the journey ends.

When curiosity becomes part of your culture, your teams don’t just deliver—they connect. They don’t just provide service—they create moments that travel far beyond the destination.

 

claudine pohlClaudine Pohl

Claudine Pohl is the Founder & CEO of Lemoneight, the cruise industry’s first accredited training center, delivering high-energy, interactive, and fun guest experience training powered by curiosity—creating memorable, story-driven moments across 5 continents—while serving on the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Allied Board of Directors and as a Social Engagement Partner for Seatrade Cruise Global.

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CTO Presents 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Award Winners

SAN PEDRO, Belize (May 1, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has unveiled the winners of the 2026 Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards, spotlighting top-tier innovation in the region’s journey toward sustainable and regenerative tourism. Honorees from Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos Islands were recognized for their leadership in pioneering sustainable tourism practices that protect the Caribbean’s natural and cultural assets.

Established in 2000, the awards honor individuals, organizations and destinations driving positive change through environmental stewardship, community empowerment, cultural preservation and climate resilience. This year’s winners underscore the Caribbean’s continued leadership in building a more sustainable and resilient tourism sector.

The awards were presented on Thursday during CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in Belize, where regional leaders, industry stakeholders and international partners gathered to share best practices and advance the sustainability agenda.

Representatives of the winning organizations were present to accept their awards, including Craig Hayes, Owner, Turneffe Flats in Belize; Candace Phillips, Senior Manager of Product Development atthe Guyana Tourism Authority; Larisa McBean, Tourism Specialist at the Jamaica Social Investment Fund; and Dr. Jasmine Thomas, Executive Director of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust.

Excellence in Sustainable Tourism Award (Sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd./Belize Island Holdings Ltd.)

Turneffe Flats, Belize, received the program’s highest honor, recognizing comprehensive and measurable sustainable tourism practices. The property demonstrated excellence across environmental management, community engagement and innovation, delivering a world-class visitor experience while contributing to long-term sustainability.

craig hayes accepts CTO excellence in sustainable tourism award in Belize 2026

Community-Based Tourism Award (Sponsored by Carnival Corporation & plc)

Guyana Inni Lodge — Toka Village, Guyana, was recognized for its community-led tourism model, placing local people at the center of development. The initiative delivers authentic visitor experiences while generating tangible social and economic benefits for the community.

Candace Phillips of the Guyana Tourism Authority accepts the Community-Based Tourism Award on behalf of Guyana Inni Lodge — Toka Village. Also pictured are Charlene Drakes, Manager, Stakeholder Engagements, Caribbean Region Carnival Corporation & plc, and Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award (Sponsored by CTO)

The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) – REDI II Programme, Jamaica, was recognized for its exceptional contribution to tourism resilience and disaster risk management. The REDI II Programme demonstrates a comprehensive approach to strengthening tourism-dependent communities and enhancing their capacity to withstand and recover from shocks.

Larisa McBean of the Jamaica Social Investment Fund accepts the Destination Stewardship and Resilience Award from Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization, on behalf of the REDI II Programme.

Regenerative Tourism Award (Sponsored by CTO)

The Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust, Turks and Caicos Islands, was honored for initiatives that go beyond sustainability to create net-positive impacts. The organization has demonstrated leadership in ecosystem restoration, cultural preservation and community engagement, setting a benchmark for regenerative tourism in the Caribbean.

Dr. Jasmine Thomas of the Turks and Caicos Islands National Trust accepts the Regenerative Tourism Award from Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization at the CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in Belize. Pictured at right is Brian Been, Tourism Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Ministry of Tourism, Turks and Caicos.

“The Caribbean continues to demonstrate that tourism can be a powerful force for good, driving economic growth while protecting our natural and cultural heritage,” said Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism at CTO. “This year’s awardees represent the very best of our region’s innovation, resilience and commitment to sustainability.”

The winners were recognized during the ceremony and will also be featured in CTO’s Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism Good Practices database.

STC 2026, hosted by the Belize Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations and the Belize Tourism Board, was sponsored by Carnival Corporation & plc and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd./Belize Island Holdings Ltd. (BIHL).

Additional Belizean sponsors and supporters include Belize Bank, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), Belize Water Services, Border Management Agency, Bowen & Bowen, Courts, Development Finance Corporation, DigiBusiness, Gongora Construction and Supply, Greater Belize Media, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Insurance Corporation of Belize (ICB), LED Belize, National Institute of Culture and History, Protected Areas Conservation Trust, smart!, and Wine Smith Ltd.

Posted in: 2026 News, Blog, Corporate News, STC

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CTO Celebrates Media Excellence with Return of Caribbean Storytelling Awards

NEW YORK (April 22, 2026) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has opened submissions for the 2026 Caribbean Media Awards, recognizing outstanding storytelling that captures the depth, diversity and evolving narrative of the Caribbean.

The awards will be presented during Caribbean Week in New York, taking place June 1-5, 2026, and will honor exceptional work from journalists, broadcasters and content creators across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Open to media professionals, CTO member destinations and their public relations partners, the awards celebrate impactful coverage that informs, inspires and elevates the region on the global stage.

“The stories coming out of the Caribbean continue to shape how the world sees and experiences our region,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of CTO. “These awards recognize the journalists and creators who bring those stories to life with depth, perspective and authenticity.”

caribbean week awards photo

Submissions are now being accepted across the following categories:

●     Best Consumer Article: Honors engaging travel or lifestyle storytelling that resonates with a broad audience and inspires interest in Caribbean experiences.
●     Best News Reporting: Recognizes timely, well-researched journalism covering developments, issues or events relevant to the Caribbean.
●     Best Trade Article: Celebrates insightful reporting tailored to the travel trade, highlighting industry trends, performance or business developments.
●     Best Personal Immersive Story: Highlights deeply reported features that reflect meaningful, firsthand experiences within a destination.
●     Best Podcast/Radio: Acknowledges compelling audio storytelling that explores Caribbean topics through interviews, narratives or discussions.
●     Best Video Production: Rewards high-quality visual storytelling across broadcast, digital or short-form formats that brings the Caribbean to life.
●     Best Social Media Campaign: Recognizes creative and strategic use of social platforms to tell Caribbean stories and engage audiences.
●     Diaspora Journalist of the Year: Honors a journalist of Caribbean heritage whose work contributes to the region’s visibility and cultural connection.
●     Emerging Journalist of the Year: Spotlights rising talent demonstrating strong potential and a fresh voice in Caribbean storytelling.

Eligible entries must have been published or broadcast during the 2025 calendar year. Submissions are limited to one entry per person, per category, and must demonstrate a clear connection to the Caribbean. Entries will be evaluated based on editorial quality, clarity of storytelling, relevance, creativity and overall impact. Judges will also consider how effectively each piece communicates a distinct perspective on the Caribbean and engages its intended audience.

 The deadline for submissions is May 8, 2026. Entrants may submit their work via the official entry form: https://forms.gle/CAhvHbLAiQu9ghzb6.

Winners will be announced during the Caribbean Media Awards Luncheon, a highlight of Caribbean Week in New York, bringing together leading voices in media and tourism to celebrate excellence in storytelling. For additional information, please contact caribbeanweek@marketplaceexcellence.com.

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Saint Lucia to Host First CTO Latin American Market Summit

SAO PAULO, Brazil (April 16, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) announced that Saint Lucia will host the inaugural CTO Latin American Market Summit next year on May 5-6, 2027.

The announcement was made this week at World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America in Brazil.

Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism of Saint Lucia, in Brazil this week.

The one-and-a-half-day summit is designed to deepen ties between Caribbean tourism stakeholders and the fast-growing Latin American travel market. It will convene Latin American airlines, tour operators, travel agents, media representatives and partner destinations to identify opportunities, build commercial partnerships and advance regional collaboration.

Key objectives include positioning the Caribbean as a premier destination for Latin American travelers, sharing market research and insights through panels and keynote sessions, enabling direct one-on-one business meetings, and strengthening cooperation with CTO Allied Members, ACI-LAC and other industry partners. The event will also feature showcases of individual Caribbean destinations.

A major focus will be improving air connectivity between the Caribbean and Latin America. Organizers plan to build on findings from the CTO Air Connectivity Study, which highlighted capacity gaps and significant potential for new air services to key South American markets, including Argentina, Chile and Brazil.

South America was the Caribbean’s strongest-performing source market in 2025, with arrivals rising 23.7% to 2.4 million visits. Officials attribute the surge to better air links, targeted marketing campaigns and rising outbound demand from the region, which has helped diversify the Caribbean’s traditional source markets.

“Saint Lucia is honored to host the 2027 CTO Latin American Market Summit with a strong focus on connectivity and strengthening ties with Latin America,” said Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Saint Lucia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage.

Speaking in São Paulo at WTM Latin America, he added: “By targeting new direct links, we can open fresh markets, boost visitor numbers and revenue, and drive sustainable economic growth across the region’s communities.”

Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of CTO, stated: “Hosting the 2027 summit in Saint Lucia with a dedicated focus on Latin America will allow us to turn insights into action — identifying new routes, forging partnerships, and delivering tangible benefits for our member countries.”

The event, to be held just before the start of the legendary Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, is expected to include targeted sessions on route development, market intelligence and partnership-building initiatives.

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Robust Speaker Lineup Builds Excitement for STC 2026 in Belize

SAN PEDRO, Belize (April 9, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has assembled more than 40 speakers for its 17th Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2026) at month-end, highlighting regenerative practices and community benefit tourism development. Anchored in the concept of “Tourism in Full Color,” the April 27-30 conference will explore how Caribbean destinations can move beyond siloed approaches by adopting integrated tourism development models.

These models are based on the Blue Economy through responsible use of marine and coastal assets, the Green Economy by advancing low-carbon, climate-resilient and nature-positive solutions, the Orange Economy by unlocking the value of culture, heritage and creative industries, and the “beyond” economies such as the Purple Economy, which emphasizes social cohesion, identity, wellbeing and inclusive growth.

Drawing on her Indigenous knowledge and inclusive frameworks, Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan DNZM, Chief Executive of New Zealand Māori Tourism, will deliver the keynote address “Tourism in Full Color – A New Development Paradigm” which will aim to examine a more holistic approach to tourism development.

Additional featured speakers include Professor Dale Webber, Jamaica’s ambassador and special envoy for climate change and environment, who will examine the management of climate risk, and Paloma Zapata, CEO of Sustainable Travel International, addressing the management of carrying capacity in a climate-constrained world.

High-level officials will also take center stage in a ministerial dialogue on building resilience. Participants include Belize’s Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler; Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management, Orlando Habet; and Tobago’s Secretary of Tourism, Zorisha Hackett.

“The strength of STC 2026 lies in the diversity of voices and expertise coming together to shape the future of Caribbean tourism,” said Narendra Ramgulam, CTO’s Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism. “By bringing together policymakers, practitioners and innovators from across sectors and regions, we are creating a platform where ideas can be exchanged, partnerships formed and practical solutions developed for a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable industry.”

Sessions on inclusive development will feature Dr. Kadijatu Grace Ahene-Kamara, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, while Dr. Acolla Lewis-Cameron of The University of the West Indies will address the importance of green tourism pathways. Additional perspectives will come from Belizean tourism expert Seleni Matus of The George Washington University; Dahlia Guard of the Saint Lucia Community Tourism Agency; Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority; and Frank Comito, former CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

Moderated discussions will feature award-winning Caribbean journalist Julian Rogers, and include representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank, CAF — Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, The Travel Foundation, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission.

In addition to plenary sessions and technical workshops, the program includes a full day of Sustainability in Action site visits. Delegates will explore various locations through curated immersive experiences, including the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Hopkins Experience (Palmento Grove Eco-Cultural and Healing Lodge, Che’il Mayan Chocolate, and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary), and The Chaa Creek Experience, offering firsthand insight into community-based tourism, marine and terrestrial conservation, and cultural heritage initiatives.

STC 2026, hosted by the Belize Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations and the Belize Tourism Board, is sponsored by Carnival Corporation & plc and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd./Belize Island Holdings Ltd (BIHL).

Additional Belizean sponsors and supporters include Bowen & Bowen, Development Finance Corporation, DIGI Belize, National Institute of Culture and History, Wine Smith Ltd., and the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE).

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