MPE CARIBBEAN REPORT NEWSLETTER – MAY 22, 2023

May 23, 2023

From Bevan Springer

MAY 22, 2023

Celebrating Caribbean Biodiversity

On International Day for Biological Diversity, let’s cherish the stunning ecosystems that make the Caribbean an unrivaled paradise.

In the face of the climate crisis, preserving biodiversity is vital for Caribbean tourism.

For the sake of generations yet to come, we have a responsibility to support sustainable practices, protect our natural wonders, and ensure a thriving future for our environment, our residents and the important tourism industry.

The upcoming Caribbean Week in New York, to be held June 5-8, has attracted strong support from Caribbean countries and territories and has garnered remarkable media interest, and with good reason!

Alongside committee and business meetings, the week-long event features a travel industry conference and the highly anticipated Caribbean Media Marketplace, taking place on June 8.

The media marketplace commences after an official CTO press breakfast, and it’s heartening to witness the enthusiastic participation of trade, consumer, and diaspora media. Happening in the world’s leading media hub, the event is a prime opportunity for tourism officials to gather and engage with the industry’s top media influencers.

Hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the CTO Foundation, Caribbean Week aims to showcase the vibrant Caribbean culture, cultivate meaningful connections with the media, promote thought leadership, and foster networking within the tourism industry.

It’s an exciting platform for Caribbean destinations to highlight their unique offerings and build strong relationships with media professionals.

The strong media interest not only reflects the allure of the Caribbean but also underscores the value and significance of this annual event in enhancing the region’s tourism industry.

For more information, visit caribbeanweek.com.

Barbados tourism executives Ryan Forde (left) and Dr. Jens Thraenhart

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace trade show in Barbados achieved a momentous milestone in its 41-year history thanks in part to effective collaboration between the public and private sectors.

CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig described the show as “exceptional” and “fantastic”, and lauded the hard work and thoughtfulness of her team and Barbados counterparts at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association.

Here’s what leaders from Barbados shared about the remarkable achievement.

“I think we were able to welcome the world to Barbados and showcase after the pandemic what Barbados has to offer in terms of experiences, in terms of diversity. It’s not just beach and sand, but it’s a lot more than that. We had a lot of experiences that were showcased here, but also I think what was important was that we were able to demonstrate there’s one Caribbean and … as for multi destination tourism (it) is so important to really drive and create value (for) people from all over the world to come here and have a good time.” – Dr. Jens Thraenhart, CEO, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

“I think it was a very successful event for Barbados and the Caribbean. If we speak about Barbados first, we’re obviously now the leaders in terms of trying to show a varied option of how you can do a trade show here in the Caribbean. In speaking (to) a lot of delegates, even our competitors, they’re loving the culinary experiences, they’re loving the buyers tours, going around the attractions … on a Caribbean standpoint, it really shows that in the Eastern and the Southern Caribbean, we can now put on these kind of shows … so it really has set the platform for more. There are things that we could learn that we could do differently, but on an overall scale, everybody is very impressed, and we are happy.” – Ryan Forde, CEO, Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.

Sandals Dunn’s River opens in grand style

An aerial view of Sandals Dunn’s River during the resort’s grand opening celebration in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on May 19, 2023.

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) unveiled its latest resort, the all-new 260-room Sandals Dunn’s River in Jamaica.

“This is the place where everything began for Sandals Resorts, and from where we stand, it’s a stunning representation of where we’re headed,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts. “Sandals Dunn’s River is the continuation of my father’s journey to better. It is a hero’s tale about an ambitious boy who began selling fish to local resorts and how he went on to change how people prefer to vacation, making Jamaica and the Caribbean the centerpiece of his efforts. It is an epic story about an incredible person who continues to inspire us to dream bigger, do more, be better. It is the stuff of legends and that is what this evening is all about,” said Stewart.

Prime Ministers Andrew Holness of Jamaica, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and other dignitaries joined together with Stewart, SRI CEO Gebhard Rainer and other members of the Sandals Resorts team for an official invocation of the resort and a momentous ribbon cutting ceremony, toasting to the future of luxury tourism in Ocho Rios.

Guests were treated to a variety of electrifying performances by local entertainers, including a rousing performance from Mr. Boombastic himself, Shaggy.

“Now, with the future before us, we stand on solid ground, committed as ever to celebrating our Caribbean heritage and delivering to the next generations of Sandals customers the unsurpassed level of innovation, excitement and unparalleled service they have come to expect and that they so well deserve,” Stewart declared.

Jamaican singer-songwriter, Shaggy (left), invigorates the crowd alongside Jamaican dancehall artist, Teejay, at the grand opening celebration of Sandals Dunn’s River.

Digital Digest

Managing your digital team

Whether you are an agency, a brand or a small business, the decision to go digital is a significant one. Your digital team serves as your gateway to the digital world. Here are some ideas for managing your team.

Communication: We all know this is a must for every organization, but it’s even more critical for digital teams due to the ever-evolving nature of the digital landscape. Clear, concise, prompt communication and timely decision-making will help to yield better results.

Workflow: Agile workflow is a modern form of project management that focuses on flexibility, collaboration and continuous improvement. Breaking down projects into smaller tasks and involving all stakeholders (including clients), enables a more efficient workflow and faster production.

Collaboration Tools: The COVID pandemic forced everyone to jump on the collaboration bandwagon. For digital teams, collaboration is mission critical since the data shared is far more complex: code, graphic files, dashboards, credentials, etc. Having the right tools and right training is the foundation of this team.

Data-driven Decision Making: Digital communication relies heavily on data and there’s an abundance of it to lead you in the right direction. Combining experience and intuition with data analysis leads to making informed decisions.

Learning and Development: The fast-paced nature of the digital landscape demands that your team stays up-to-date and sharp. With the abundance of digital courses and skills development opportunities available, staying ahead of the curve is not difficult.

Medical Moment

World No Tobacco Day takes place on May 31, 2023.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), tobacco use remains a significant public health concern in the Caribbean.

It is a preventable risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, the leading cause of death, disease, and disability among Caribbean people. There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke exposure causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults, and acute respiratory infections and severe asthma in children.

This year’s campaign encourages governments to end tobacco growing subsidies and use the savings to support farmers to switch to more sustainable crops that improve food security and nutrition.

For more information visit: https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day-31-may-2023.