STC

Grenada to Welcome a Diverse Lineup of Industry Leaders at CTO’s STC 2024

GRENADA (April 21, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in partnership with the Grenada Tourism Authority, has curated a dynamic lineup of industry leaders and development partners for its Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2024). The gathering aims to explore new strategies for enhancing sustainable tourism amidst evolving global challenges.

Slated for April 22-24, 2024, and centered around the theme The 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership, the event brings together experts who will discuss creating innovative tourism experiences that capitalize on the Caribbean’s rich natural and cultural resources and presents strategies and best practice solutions to benefit from emerging opportunities and address sustainable tourism challenges.

Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International and a renowned leader in sustainable tourism, will deliver the keynote address on April 22. His remarks are expected to inspire a series of productive discussions on building a resilient and responsible tourism infrastructure in the region.

The conference will feature an impressive roster of speakers sharing their expertise on sustainable tourism development during the following sessions:

GENERAL SESSION I – Planet: Preserving Paradise – Nurturing Nature for a Sustainable Future (April 22, 10:30 am – 11:45 am): This session recognizes the vital connections between the health of our planet and the well-being of all living beings, including humans. Emphasizing the urgent need for conservation action, participants will engage in discussions that transcend rhetoric, focusing instead on tangible solutions and practical interventions. Speakers include:
• Christopher Corbin, Coordinator, Cartagena Convention Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Giselle Carr, Head of Brand and Communications, InPlanet
• Maria Fowell, Senior Technical Specialist-Tourism, Economic Development Unit, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission
• Rosana John, Attorney-at-Law, Dentons Delany
• Michael Russek, Artist, Designer, Fabricator & Eco Creator
• Maxine Welsh (Moderator), Director, The Nature Conservancy, Eastern Caribbean Division

GENERAL SESSION II – People: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Harnessing Equity, Education, and Empowerment in Tourism (April 22, 11:45 am – 1:00 pm): The session will explore the pivotal role of diversity, equity, inclusion and education within the tourism sector to empower individuals and drive sustainable development. Speakers include:
• Tonni Brodber, Representative of UN Women Multi-Country Office, Caribbean
• Dr. Acolla Lewis Cameron, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
• Amrita Bhalla, Managing Director, A.B. Consulting
• Melnecia Marshall, Deputy CEO, St. Kitts Tourism Authority
• Christopher Lee, Executive Recruiter & Consultant, BIPOC Executive Search
• Richard Young (Moderator), Fashion Director & Creative Consultant, Richard Young Inc.

GENERAL SESSION III – Indigenous Excellence: Championing Community, Country and Congruence with Destination Grenada (April 22, 2:15 pm – 3:30 pm): As Grenada celebrates 50 years of independence in 2024, this session highlights the nation’s achievements in fostering Indigenous Excellence through public and private partnerships. Speakers include:
• Dr. Angus Friday, Strategic Partnerships Director, Waitt Institute, and Executive Chairman, Atlantean BioSphere Program
• Tiffany Geer, Marketing Manager, Event Coordinator and Dive Master, Aquanauts Grenada
• Dr. Guido Marcelle, Pharmacognosist, Environmentalist and Practicing Natural Farmer
• Mr. Phil Saye, Director, Grenada Fund for Conservation
• Petra Roach (Moderator), Chief Executive Officer, Grenada Tourism Authority

MASTER CLASS – Building Resilience Across the 5Ps: Strategies for Tourism Resilience & Competitiveness (April 22, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm): This dynamic session will explore strategies to bolster resilience within the Caribbean tourism sector, focusing on environmental sustainability, comprehensive disaster management, climate variability and climate change. Speakers include:
• Dr. Deborah Brown, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
• Barry Collymore, Owner and Executive Chairman, Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort; Co-Founder of West Indies School of Hospitality (WISH)
• Dr. Roché Mahon, Social Scientist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology
• Prof. Lloyd G. Waller (Moderator), Professor of Digital Transformation Policy and Governance, University of the West Indies; Executive Director, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre

Market & Industry Insights Panel (April 23, 8:15 am – 9:00 am): A panel convening experts from the primary source markets and key industry stakeholders to offer perspectives on the latest policies, trends, and developments shaping the tourism landscape. Speakers include:
• Carol Rose, Head of Sustainability, ABTA, The Travel Association
• Hannah Swift, Country Manager – Caribbean, Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.
• Dr. Allison T. Walker, Chief Surveillance Officer, Travelers’ Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Rich Pruitt, Vice President of Environmental Operation, Carnival Cruise Line
• Kendra Hopkin Stewart, Deputy Managing Director, Blue Horizons Garden Resort; President, Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association
• Frank Comito (Moderator), Special Advisor and Former CEO/DG, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

Inter-Ministerial Dialogue on Cooperation and Intersectoral Linkages (April 23, 9:00 am – 9:30 am): This fireside chat will feature spirited contributions from four Ministers of the Government of Grenada on modern challenges and solutions in sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. Speakers include:
• Senator Adrian Thomas, Minister for Tourism, Creative Economy & Culture, Grenada
• Lennox Andrews, Minister for Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources & Cooperatives, Grenada
• Kerryne James, Minister for Climate Resilience, Environment & Renewable Energy, Grenada
• Senator Jonathan La Crette, Minister of Youth and Sports, Grenada
• Bevan Springer (Moderator), President, Marketplace Excellence Corporation

GENERAL SESSION IV – Prosperity: Pathways to Prosperity for Sustainable Futures: Sustainable Tourism Financing Donors’ Roundtable (April 23, 9:30 am – 10:30 am): This panel features an illustrious gathering of representatives from primary donor agencies, regional and international development organizations, and financial institutions supporting the Caribbean’s sustainable development. Speakers include:
• Dr. Louise Twining-Ward, Senior Private Sector Specialist, The World Bank
• Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy, Regional Manager for the Caribbean, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America & the Caribbean
• Petipha Lewis, Director, Board of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund; Chair, Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM); Executive Director and Secretary to the Board of Directors of the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce
• Chris McNair, Programme Specialist, Business Development, CARICOM Development Fund
• Wayne Elliott, Productivity & Innovation Coordinator, Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility
• Amanda Charles (Moderator), Sustainable Tourism Specialist, Caribbean Tourism Organization

GENERAL SESSION V – Purpose: Purpose Driven Tourism: Uniting Purpose with Passion for Sustainable Tourism (April 23, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm): This session brings together industry leaders, stakeholders and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of purpose and passion in sustainable travel. Discussions will explore how travelers and tourism providers can align their values and aspirations with meaningful experiences contributing to sustainable development goals. Speakers include:
• Alicia Johnson, Author, Lonely Planet
• Dr. Thérèse Yarde, Caribbean Fellow/Senior Director, Caribbean SIDS Programming, Conservation International
• Kirpa Grewal, Co-Chair, Volunteerism Committee and Executive Committee Member, Women in Cleantech & Sustainability Board of Directors
• Kitaka Mawuto, Chief Executive Officer, Elevate Media
• Russ Fielden, Owner, True Blue Bay Resort
• Michael Carabash (Moderator), Partner, DMC LLP

GENERAL SESSION VI – Partnership: Synergizing Sustainability: Fostering Public, Private, and Community Partnerships in Tourism (April 23, 12:15 pm – 1:30 pm): This session focuses on the transformative power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing sustainability within the tourism industry. It aims to chart new pathways toward inclusive and responsible tourism development by fostering collaboration.
• Michael Akin, President, LINK Strategic Partners
• Marc Melville, CEO, Chukka Caribbean Adventures Group
• Trevor Jonas Benson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Bannikin
• Annie Bertrand, Public-Private-Community Partnership Consultant, SIDS Global Business Network
• Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
• Michelle Mason, Social Impact and Recognition Manager, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
• Kennedy Pemberton (Moderator), Director of Operations, Green Case Consulting

MASTER CLASS – Fu-Tech Tourism: Demystifying the Myths and Exploring the Risks, Benefits and New Opportunities (April 23, 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm): Engage with the future of technology (Fu-Tech) in tourism through this enlightening discussion. The session will debunk myths and explore the risks, benefits, and new opportunities presented by emerging technologies, setting the stage for innovation in the industry. Speakers include:
• Ed Limon, Co-Founder and Producer, Winged Whale Media
• Kyle Maloney, Tech Ecosystem Builder; Digital Marketer; Investor; Co-Founder, Tech Beat Retreat
• Stacey Hines, Founder & CEO, Epic Transformation
• Orlando Romain (Moderator), Advisor, Grenada Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, with responsibility for ICT and the Creative Economy

CONVERGENCE POINT – Bridging Perspectives for Future Tourism (April 23, 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm): The closing session is designed to bring together diverse perspectives and stimulate dialogue and action that will help shape the future of Caribbean tourism. It explores how stakeholders are working to address challenges, meet market demands, tap into new trends and promote responsible tourism while embracing The 5Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership. Speakers include:
• Shelley V. Worrell, Founder, I AM CaribBeing and Little Caribbean NYC
• Rodney Payne, Chief Executive Officer, Destination Think
• Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce, Guyana
• Aria Laidlow-Ferdinand, Technical Officer, Caribbean Natural Resource Institute (CANARI)
• Krisma McDonald, Director of Sustainability, Six Senses La Sagesse
• Tenille Clarke (Moderator), Managing Director, Chambers Media Solutions

Partners and sponsors for STC 2024 include LINK Strategic Partners, Little Caribbean NYC, Royal Caribbean International, Silversands Grenada Beach Resort, and Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada Resort.

Airline partners include interCaribbean Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Sponsors of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards are the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, Grenada Investment Development Corporation, International Institute of Tourism Studies at the GW School of Business, and World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards.

Media partners signed up for the conference are Breaking Travel News, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Media Corporation, and Wanderlust.

Visit www.caribbeanstc.com for more information about the conference, speakers, sessions and registration details. To learn more about the Grenada Tourism Authority, visit puregrenada.com.

CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference Presents Dynamic Study Tours to Promote Sustainable Practices

BARBADOS (April 15, 2024) – The Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2024), slated for April 22-24, 2024 in Grenada, will feature a series of exclusive study tours aligned with the conference theme, The 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership. These tours have been thoughtfully curated to offer participants an enriching and unique opportunity to delve into innovative sustainability practices and glean insights intended to catalyze transformative action for a more resilient and sustainable Caribbean.

STC 2024 is jointly hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization in collaboration with the Government of Grenada, through the Grenada Tourism Authority, and will welcome a wide range of participants, including government officials, tourism professionals, environmentalists, members of the media and researchers.

This valuable addition to the conference will allow participants to visit various sites and interact with local communities, gaining firsthand knowledge of best practices in sustainable tourism management, conservation efforts, and community engagement.

Study Tour Options:

• The Underwater Sculpture Park/Grand Anse Artificial Reef Tour: Led by Aquanauts Grenada, guests dive into the intricate ecosystem of the Underwater Sculpture Park and Grand Anse Artificial Reef and learn about sustainable practices aimed at protecting and preserving these vital marine habitats.

• Grand Etang Nature Tour: Dr. Guido Marcelle, an esteemed botanist, guides participants through the lush rainforests surrounding Grand Etang Lake to explore Grenada’s rich biodiversity and gain valuable insights into rainforest conservation efforts.

• The Rasta Roots Expedition: Immersive Journey into Rastafari Culture and Lands: Led by Ras Ginga, an elder of the Nyahbinghi Tribe, guests experience the Rastafari culture firsthand, learning about organic living practices and farming practices of Grenada’s Rastafari community, complete with a taste of local culinary delights.

• Mt. Parnassus Plantation and Cocoa Pod Botanicals: Experts Michael Jessamy and Tricia Simon guide participants through the cocoa and spice plantation, uncovering innovative applications of these crops in cosmetics and health products.

The conference’s diverse program, comprising presentations, panel discussions, workshops, study tours and networking opportunities, aims to foster collaboration and facilitate knowledge sharing to advance sustainable tourism in the Caribbean region.

Event sponsors and partners include interCaribbean Airways; Royal Caribbean International; Silversands Grenada; Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada’s newest resort; and LINK Strategic Partners, an international strategic communications and community engagement consulting firm with offices across the U.S. and in Manchester, England.

Visit caribbeanstc.com for further information about the conference and registration details. To learn more about the Grenada Tourism Authority, visit puregrenada.com.

Adam Stewart of Sandals Resorts to Deliver Keynote at CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in Grenada

BARBADOS (April 3, 2024) – Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, will keynote the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, which will take place in St. George’s, Grenada, from April 22 to 24, 2024. The pivotal conference, produced in partnership with the Grenada Tourism Authority, will explore the 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership, with the aim of catalyzing transformative action towards a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for Caribbean tourism.

An industry pioneer and staunch advocate for sustainable tourism, Adam Stewart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sustainable development, community-focused tourism, and responsible tourism practices to the conference. As President of the Sandals Foundation, Stewart is deeply committed to enhancing the Caribbean community’s future. Additionally, his role as chair of Jamaica’s Tourism Linkages Council underscores his dedication to boosting local supplier capacity and competitiveness, ensuring the broader benefits of tourism work for all.

“We are honored to have Adam Stewart, a globally respected thought leader, as our keynote speaker for the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO’s Secretary-General and CEO. “His commitment to sustainability and his dedication to the Caribbean make him the ideal choice to inspire our delegates and drive the discussion on advancing sustainable tourism in the region.”

For decades, Sandals Resorts International has led by example in sustainable tourism, spearheading various initiatives through the Sandals Foundation to support community-based environmental projects. These efforts range from marine conservation to education and the preservation of natural resources.

“We are certain that Mr. Stewart’s words will challenge attendees to leave with the unwavering commitment to integrating sustainable practices into their operations, enhancing destination resilience, and positively impacting local communities,” underscores Petra Roach, Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority. “As we continue to prioritize these sustainable values, it is imperative that our region puts forward meaningful action that will benefit the Caribbean for generations to come.”

The conference, sponsored by interCaribbean Airways, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Silversands Grenada, aims to provide a collaborative platform for industry leaders, policymakers and experts to tackle the environmental, social and economic challenges facing the Caribbean region. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on integrating sustainable practices into their operations, enhancing destination resilience, and positively impacting local communities.

For further information on the conference and registration details, visit caribbeanstc.com. To learn more about the Grenada Tourism Authority, visit www.puregrenada.com