The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter offers travel, tourism, Caribbean and global news weekly. To share stories, information or intelligence, contact us at [email protected].

September 22, 2025

New Tourism Minister in Guyana; Continuity in Jamaica

Minister Susan Rodrigues of Guyana (left), and Jamaican Minister Edmund Bartlett

Following general elections earlier this month, Guyana has named Susan Rodrigues as its new Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, succeeding Oneidge Walrond, who now serves as Minister of Home Affairs. Rodrigues previously held the post of Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water. President Dr. Irfaan Ali begins a second term following the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) victory at the polls.

In Jamaica, veteran parliamentarian Edmund Bartlett retains the tourism portfolio, continuing his long-standing leadership of the sector. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness of the Jamaica Labour Party was reelected for a third term after a closely contested race

World Tourism Day celebrations this Saturday

World Tourism Day 2025, observed globally this Saturday, September 27, shines a spotlight on tourism’s power as a driver of positive change. 

This year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, emphasizes that the true potential of the industry lies not merely in expanding arrivals and revenues, but in fostering deeper connections with communities, cultures and the environment. 

For the Caribbean, one of the world’s most tourism-dependent regions, the celebration is both a reminder and a rallying call to harness tourism’s benefits while safeguarding natural and cultural assets, and ensuring that the people at the heart of the industry — workers, entrepreneurs and local residents — are empowered and uplifted.

CMEx Laureate Spotlight: Carole Alexis

We continue our spotlight on the 2025 CMEx laureates, who will be celebrated in Miami on Sunday, December 7, at Loews Coral Gables Hotel.

Carole Alexis is an internationally acclaimed choreographer, director, pedagogue, and Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (France).

At just 13 years old in her native Martinique, she was commissioned to choreograph for the Festival de Fort-de-France, working with a company of professional dancers. 

She was invited to the Mudra School of Maurice Béjart in Dakar, Senegal, where she graduated with high honors. This launched a journey of international study in dance and pedagogy while simultaneously forging her career as a dancer and singer.

In 2011, Alexis founded Ballet des Amériques, a professional dance company and ballet conservatory. The company regularly stages her original choreographies across the greater New York City area, as well as on national and international stages.

As a Caribbean artist, Alexis draws deeply from her heritage to transcend boundaries and create new possibilities of artistic expression. Having lived and trained in Martinique, Brittany, Senegal and Paris, she has developed a unique choreographic écriture that explores themes of music, nature, history and human interaction. Never content with speaking only to the “dance scene”, her vision is to engage audiences across the spectrum of humanity.

The CMEx Awards is sponsored by Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Calabash Cove Resort & Spa (St. Lucia), Coco Palm (St. Lucia) Carnival Corporation & plc, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Ladera Resort (St. Lucia), and Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board.

Proceeds will support educational initiatives that empower Caribbean youth and tourism professionals.

For tickets and details, visit cmexmedia.org.

The countdown is on to the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2025, taking place September 30 to October 3 at Hilton Barbados Resort. 

As seen in last year’s vibrant opening in the Cayman Islands, complete with rich cultural presentations, SOTIC continues to blend Caribbean flair with global insights. 

This year’s edition is shaping up to be a thought-provoking and stimulating exercise, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders and young people to tackle the pressing issues and opportunities shaping the region’s future. 

To secure your seat at the conference, visit sotic.onecaribbean.org.

Photo Flashback: Antigua & Barbuda in The Big Apple

Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism team is dedicated to its bread-and-butter industry, with a robust schedule of in-market engagements to highlight the offerings of the twin-island nation. Pictured left to right during Caribbean Week in New York 2025 are Charmaine Spencer, Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America; Charles “Max” Fernandez, Minister of Tourism; and Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. Their unified and consistent presence underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and driving growth across its key source markets.

Quotable Caribbean

“September is a special month for me — it marks two years since I was appointed Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). These years have been filled with purpose, progress and partnership. I’m deeply grateful to the Chairmanship of the Council of Ministers and Board of Directors, to our member governments, and to our affiliate and allied members. I also thank the CTO team, who have embraced me and believed in my leadership and the power of transformation. Together, we’ve worked hard to deliver greater value to our members, at a time when tourism remains vital to our economies, communities and cultural identity.” — Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization

Proverbially West Indian

“Every moldy biscuit have he/she vuum vuum cheese.” 

This Caribbean saying teaches that everything — even that which seems worthless or unappealing — carries hidden value. The “moldy biscuit” symbolizes what appears old, unattractive or past its prime, while the “vuum vuum cheese” represents the unexpected reward within — a strength, talent or benefit that may not be obvious at first glance. This proverb is a reminder to look beyond appearances and discover the good in every situation or person.

Medical Moment

September is recognized as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month to highlight the risks, symptoms and treatments of this condition.

PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the legs, restricting blood flow and oxygen. This can lead to leg pain, cramping or fatigue during walking or climbing stairs — symptoms that often improve with rest.

Black adults are twice as likely to develop PAD and up to four times more likely to face amputation compared to white adults. Hispanic communities also experience higher amputation rates.

Key risk factors for PAD include:

• Age
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Family history

Raising awareness during September helps promote early detection and treatment to reduce the impact of PAD.

Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) is a global public relations, marketing and media company.