Caribbean Week

Dominica and USVI Lead Growing List of Sponsors for Caribbean Week, New York 2025

NEW YORK (May 10, 2025) – The Nature Island of Dominica and the U.S. Virgin Islands – Naturally in Rhythm – have been confirmed as title Platinum Sponsors of Caribbean Week in New York (CWNY 2025), the flagship event of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in North America. Taking place from June 1-6, 2025, at The Westin New York at Times Square, CWNY continues to build momentum with strong support from a growing number of CTO member countries and tourism partners.

This year’s impressive lineup of sponsors also includes:

• Gold Sponsors: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bermuda
• Silver Sponsors: St. Kitts, Sandals Resorts International
• Bronze Sponsor: Anguilla, Barbados

The expanding sponsorship base reflects a united regional commitment to amplify the Caribbean’s global presence and underscores the strategic importance of CWNY as a platform for tourism development, investment, and cultural diplomacy.

“Caribbean Week in New York is more than a celebration — it’s a strategic convergence of our region’s top minds and markets,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the CTO. “We’re encouraged by the growing support from our members and partners, which shows the value they see in this marquee event.”

Under the theme “Caribbean Resilience: Crafting Tomorrow’s Tourism,” the 2025 edition will spotlight the dynamism and diversity of the region through a series of high-impact events, including:

• Sessions on Artificial Intelligence and Hospitality Innovation
• The launch of the CTO Reimagine Plan
• Media Marketplace and Caribbean Media Awards
• Caribbean Women’s Leadership Dinner and Awards
• Forums on airline and cruise connectivity
• Sessions on the Orange Economy and creative industries
• A next-generation showcase for Caribbean youth
• An Allied Member session on emerging markets
• The relaunch of CTO’s Hospitality Assured Program
• The Caribbean Cultural Showcase, a consumer event celebrating the region’s music, art and flavors

Caribbean Week in New York remains the premier regional tourism event in the U.S., drawing government officials, travel professionals, media, diaspora leaders, and Caribbean enthusiasts together to shape the future of the industry.

For more information about Caribbean Week, visit: https://caribbeanweek.onecaribbean.org.

Caribbean Week in New York 2025 to Feature First-Ever Caribbean Cultural Showcase

NEW YORK (May 8, 2025) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has added an exciting new event to the Caribbean Week in New York (CWNY) 2025 schedule: the Caribbean Cultural Showcase. Celebrating Caribbean music, dance, cuisine and artistry, the event will take place at The Westin New York at Times Square on Thursday, June 5, from 4 pm to 8 pm.

The Caribbean Cultural Showcase will provide attendees with an immersive experience of authentic Caribbean culture, featuring performances, culinary delights, and displays of island artistry. Visitors will have the opportunity to win trips to various Caribbean destinations and access exclusive travel deals available only during the event. To purchase tickets, go to Caribbean Cultural Showcase.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Caribbean Cultural Showcase as part of our expanded Caribbean Week program,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the CTO. “This new addition reflects our commitment to sharing the rich cultural tapestry that makes our region so unique. Beyond our beaches and natural beauty, the Caribbean’s diverse heritage, expressed through our music, dance, art and cuisine, is a powerful tourism asset that resonates with travelers seeking authentic experiences.”

CWNY 2025’s theme, “Caribbean Resilience: Crafting Tomorrow’s Tourism,” aligns perfectly with the Caribbean Cultural Showcase – as the aim is to highlight the region’s cultural heritage as a cornerstone of sustainable tourism development. The event provides a platform for the Caribbean diaspora communities in New York to reconnect with their roots while introducing potential visitors to the rich experiences awaiting them across the region.

Caribbean Week in New York 2025 remains the premier Caribbean tourism event in North America, offering stakeholders unparalleled engagement opportunities with industry leaders, media representatives and travel enthusiasts. For more information, visit caribbeanweek.com.

CNN Journalist to Headline Women’s Leadership Breakfast at Caribbean Week NY

NEW YORK (June 10, 2024) – Emmy award-winning journalist Audrey Irvine of CNN will headline the inaugural Women’s Leadership Breakfast Awards during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Caribbean Week in New York on Wednesday, June 19.

Cayman Islands Director of Tourism Rosa Harris, Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors and Spokesperson for Caribbean Week this year, announced that CTO will feature Irvine as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.

Audrey Irvine of CNN

The event will honor exceptional women in Caribbean tourism leadership across three categories: the Director of Tourism Award 2024, the Minister of Tourism Award 2024 (both selected by industry peers), and the Secretary-General’s Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service award celebrates a female leader with over 20 years of service, notable contributions to regional tourism, and inspirational support to other women in the industry, selected by the Secretary-General.

“We are delighted to welcome Audrey to Caribbean Week in New York as we showcase a Caribbean-American queen of the news media,” said Harris, noting that Irvine’s achievements inspire countless women and girls across the Caribbean and the Diaspora.

Harris and Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO Secretary-General and CEO, will address the attendees at the awards event, which is being sponsored by Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Diamonds International.

Irvine, Senior Director of CNN’s Newsource Newsgathering, is based in Atlanta. Born to Jamaican parents and raised in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, she has worked in the media industry for over 30 years with major industry leaders, including CNN, ESPN, and ABC News.

Currently, she oversees the affiliate news-gathering operation at CNN Newsource, servicing over 1,000 domestic local stations, including those in Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, and Guam. In partnership with CNN affiliate partners, her department meets the coverage needs of all CNN platforms, programming, and partners.

Irvine earned an Emmy for her contributions to CNN’s coverage of George Floyd and the 2020 summer of protests. She has produced key coverage for CNN, including post-Hurricane Katrina reporting from New Orleans, where she won a Peabody Award.

Before joining CNN, she worked as an assignment editor at ESPN. There, she contributed to Emmy award-winning programs such as SportsCenter, College Gameday, and Sunday NFL Countdown, and covered two Super Bowls.

Irvine expressed her excitement about addressing Caribbean women of excellence during Caribbean Week. “I am thrilled to be among such exceptional women, as I would not have achieved the strides I have made in media without the guidance and inspiration of my late mother, who herself was a Caribbean woman of distinction.”

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation is the headline sponsor of Caribbean Week in New York. Gold sponsors include Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. The Jamaica Tourist Board and Sandals Resorts International are silver sponsors, and ADARA – A RateGain Company and Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority are bronze sponsors. Additional supporters include Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Caribbean Media Exchange, Diamonds International, Marketplace Excellence, and S’Aimer NYC.