From Bevan Springer

APRIL 22, 2024

Tourism talks begin in the Spice Island

Photo credit: Grenada Tourism Authority

The stage is set for the Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development, commonly referred to as the Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at Radisson Grenada Beach Resort.  STC 2024 stands as the Caribbean’s foremost event for high-level networking and dialogue on sustainable tourism, providing a crucial platform for tourism policymakers, private sector stakeholders, thought leaders, and strategic partners to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean tourism. The conference will highlight the essential pillars necessary for creating a transformative and regenerative legacy under the theme, “The 5 Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose, & Partnership”. Over 200 delegates, including keynote speaker Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, are confirmed to attend. 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. For more details about the engaging program, visit caribbeanstc.com.

St. Vincent minister upbeat about tourism potential

Screenshot. For video click HERE

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has joined the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association as a 2024 Destination Development Strategic Partner. 

This partnership is part of a collaborative effort to boost and expand cruise industry demand for the destination. 

Minister of Tourism Carlos James said the strategic partnership comes at a time when the country is experiencing significant tourism growth, particularly within the cruise tourism sector. 

He provided this update during the recently concluded Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami.

Anguilla to host MICE Meeting

Meeting planners will gather in paradise this summer. Photo credit: Anguilla Tourist Board

Questex’s Caribbean & Mexico Meeting and Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE), which connects North American high-volume meeting and incentive travel buyers with suppliers based in the Caribbean and Mexico, will take place August 18-21, 2024, at the Aurora Resort & Golf Club in Anguilla.

“We are delighted to have an opportunity to take business meetings to such an exclusive, sought-after Caribbean destination,” said Jill Birkett, VP Questex Travel + Wellness Group. “Anguilla is a stunning location for our buyers to explore for their meetings business. Our participants for CMITE will have the opportunity to experience both the intimate meeting environment and the beauty of this magnificent resort and island.”

“We are committed to developing this market segment for Anguilla and look forward to welcoming all CMITE participants this summer,” declared Stacey Liburd, Director of Tourism, Anguilla Tourist Board. “We are confident that the buyers will gain a new appreciation for all that our destination has to offer their clients – in particular the ease of access, our superb accommodations, talented event planners, unique experiences and genuine hospitality.”

The CMITE concept brings together meeting planners and incentive buyers who book a large volume of business in the Caribbean and Mexico for a networking experience with suppliers based in the region. Each supplier will receive a private, deluxe room on the resort property where they will conduct up to 20 one-to-one private appointments with buyers they choose to meet.

CTO Secretary-General addresses UN Forum

CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper (center) is pictured with l-r Christian de Boer, Managing Director of Jaya House Hotels; Prof. Robertico Croes of Rosen College of Hospitality Management; Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority; Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of Advocacy & Communications at the World Travel & Tourism Council; and CNN International journalist Richard Quest (front).

Last week, during the inaugural United Nations General Assembly Sustainability Week at UN Headquarters in New York, Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), participated in a high-level thematic event on tourism. 

At “The Future of Tourism” session, which was moderated by CNN International journalist Richard Quest, Regis-Prosper emphasized the significance of sustainability, along with achieving a balance between the economy, people, and the environment. She proudly noted, “We do it well in the Caribbean.”

In addition to her session participation, Regis-Prosper had several key meetings. She met with Dennis Francis, the President of the UN General Assembly and Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations. 

She also engaged with notable figures such as Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Patricia De Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism; and Ibrahim Faisal, Minister of Tourism of the Maldives, highlighting the importance of south-south cooperation.

Quotable Caribbean

“The road to resilience is not one we can walk alone. Protecting global tourism, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), requires a concerted, international effort to implement adaptive, forward-thinking policies that not only mitigate risks but also promote sustainable practices.” – Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

Celebrating women of the U.S. Virgin Islands – Final Part

In the final part of this six-part series, we highlight Virgin Islands women who are making significant contributions and were recently celebrated by the Virgin Islands 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee.

Karen Nelthropp, Tour Expert – As the Guest Relations Manager at Cruzan Rum on St. Croix, Karen Nelthropp exemplifies profound passion by leading engaging distillery tours for numerous visitors annually. She educates guests about rum production and the rich history of this quintessential Virgin Islands product. Nelthropp’s role extends to managing Cruzan Legacy Tours, providing an extensive insight particularly to the sales representatives of parent company Beam Suntory, enhancing their marketing strategies globally. Her exceptional contributions have significantly boosted the international stature of Cruzan Rum, spotlighting the Virgin Islands’ cultural heritage and drawing global acclaim.

Sonia Sprauve, Singer, Culinary Pro and Entrepreneur – A beloved icon from St. John, Sonia Sprauve has enchanted both locals and visitors with her remarkable singing talents, often performing the Virgin Islands anthem at St. John Festival events. Beyond her vocal prowess, she’s renowned for her culinary skills, especially her homemade pepper sauce, gooseberry and tamarind stews, and her signature pound seasoning. Sprauve holds the distinction of being the first female vocalist with “Eddie and the Movements” (now known as the world-famous Jam Band) and has a passion for fishing. Her daughter, vocalist Tishelle Knight, is full of admiration, attributing her and her sister’s strong upbringing to her mother’s guidance. “She remains as spirited as ever,” Knight says of her 71-year-old mother. “Despite experiencing some aches and pains, as long as Mummy can cook a pot and feed herself, she is good!”

Medical Moment

This year’s World Blood Donor Day is on June 14, 2024.

Blood donation saves millions of lives each year. It contributes to the recovery and health of patients with illnesses or injuries, complex operations, or childbirth problems. 

Blood stocks are also necessary in natural and man-made disasters. 

Promoting the need for rare blood donor types is essential. 

World Blood Donor Day highlights the need for donors and regular donations of safe blood and blood products, as well as to thank and honor donors for their precious gifts of blood.

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