APRIL 8, 2024

Seatrade opens in Miami Beach

The U.S. Virgin Islands booth at Seatrade last year

Today marks the opening of Seatrade Cruise Global, the premier business-to-business gathering for the cruise sector, hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The Caribbean region will have significant representation at the event.

At noon, the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Secretary-General, Dona Regis-Prosper, will participate in a discussion alongside Figen Ayan, President of MedCruise, and moderator Roger Blum, Principal of Cruise and Port Advisors, Inc. on “The Value of Regional Collaboration”. 

The State of the Global Cruise Industry Keynote session, scheduled for Tuesday morning, will bring together leading executives from the world’s leading cruise corporations for a roundtable dialogue, taking inspiration from this year’s theme “The Evolution of Cruise”. Anne Kalosh, Editor of Seatrade Cruise News, will moderate the session. The engaging conversation will delve into key subjects shaping the industry’s future, including environmental sustainability, demand trends for 2024, the digital landscape, and the integration of artificial intelligence.

The session will spotlight Josh Weinstein, President, CEO & Chief Climate Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc; Kelly Craighead, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association; Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group; Harry J. Sommer, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; and Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.

Also on Tuesday is a “Caribbean Cruising Spotlight” panel, featuring Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association; Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands and Chairman of the CTO; Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands; Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism, British Virgin Islands; and Carlos Mercado Santiago, Executive Director, Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Seatrade Cruise Global concludes on Thursday.

Countdown to CTO Sustainable Tourism Conference in Grenada

As the region prepares for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference, which will take place in St. George’s, Grenada, from April 22 to 24, 2024, we take a glimpse back to 2011 (in the photo above) when the conference was held in Hamilton, Bermuda!

This year, the 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.

Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, will keynote the meeting, which has attracted an impressive lineup of speakers.

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

Quotable Caribbean

“(The CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference) promises not only to dissect the challenges but to inspire collective action towards maintaining the delicate equilibrium required for a thriving tourism sector. We look forward to showcasing some of the innovative projects that we have in our beautiful tri-island state which underscore the importance of protecting and preserving our natural and cultural heritage for the tourism sector and future generations of Grenadians.” – Petra Roach, Chief Executive Officer, Grenada Tourism Authority

Digital Digest

Navigating the Seas of Sustainability in Caribbean Branding

In the digital age, the Caribbean travel and tourism sector is charting a new course towards Sustainablity and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), masterfully leveraging online platforms to weave these critical themes into their branding narratives. Businesses are harnessing the power of digital media to showcase their eco-friendly practices and community benefit projects.

From breathtaking social media feeds capturing the implementation of renewable energy sources at resorts to engaging stories about community efforts, digital storytelling is becoming a pivotal tool in promoting destinations and demonstrating a tangible commitment to preserving their charm and vitality for the future.

Digital offers an unprecedented opportunity for authenticity and transparency, principles that are foundational to building brand trust in today’s market. Consumers’ growing skepticism towards greenwashing claims is met with a demand for verifiable action, an expectation that digital platforms are uniquely equipped to satisfy. 

Through blogs detailing the journey towards carbon neutrality, live-streamed community events, and interactive online reports on sustainability achievements, Caribbean brands have the opportunity to set a new standard by engaging audiences with compelling narratives of positive impact, showing that their investment in the health of the planet and the well-being of local communities is not just a marketing strategy, but a core element of their identity. 

For those leading the charge towards genuine sustainability, continue sharing your stories and let’s get digital!

Caribbean Week in New York to offer dynamic agenda

Plans are moving apace for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York, slated for June 16-21, 2024. 

This significant event, during the CTO’s 35th anniversary, aligns with Caribbean-American Heritage Month, and promises a dynamic mix of sessions on tourism, technology, media and marketing, featuring:

• A reflective start with a church service, echoing the spiritual essence of the Caribbean

• Caribbean Media Marketplace, the return of the Caribbean Media Awards, and a celebration of cricket, spotlighting the region’s role in hosting the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup

• Key CTO business meetings and efforts to support the CTO Foundation’s Jean Holder Scholarship.

• Sessions on digital marketing and artificial intelligence, underscoring the CTO’s commitment to innovation

• A focus on women’s empowerment with a leadership breakfast and awards ceremony, alongside a Juneteenth commemorationthat honors the links between the African American community and the Caribbean Diaspora

• Discussions on the airline and cruise industries, along with educational sessions on sales strategies and media engagement

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

In part four of this edition, we highlight two noteworthy Virgin Islands women who are making significant contributions to their community and sectors, as celebrated by the Virgin Islands 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee.

Cynthia Arnold – Corporate Leadership Excellence: Cynthia Arnold has been instrumental in guiding Diageo USVI’s strategic direction as its Vice President for the past four years. Her journey reflects more than 20 years of industry expertise, particularly in the realm of rum. Starting her career in finance at Diageo, Arnold quickly rose through the ranks due to her outstanding performance and dedication. Known for her leadership approach that emphasizes collaboration, innovation and a positive workplace culture, Arnold has been key to achieving both personal and organizational successes. Deeply committed to corporate citizenship and sustainability, she integrates these values into the company’s daily operations and spearheads philanthropic efforts to enhance the economic development of the Territory. A native of St. Croix, Cynthia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MBA with a focus on Finance from Emory University in Atlanta. She lives on the “Big Island” with her family.

Dina Perry-Malone – Visionary in Communications: As Vice President and USVI Retail Banking and Operations Manager at FirstBank Virgin Islands, Dina Perry-Malone is celebrated for her innovation and leadership in the financial sector. Dina’s academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Marketing Communications and Advertising from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Her career commenced at JPMorgan Chase Bank in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in 1998, and she moved to FirstBank Virgin Islands in 2002. Perry-Malone has since held several managerial positions, demonstrating her versatility and leadership in the banking industry. She manages retail branches across St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, overseeing branch and consumer lending sales, client service efforts, and community reinvestment initiatives. She is a staunch advocate for housing and homeownership, actively contributing to various community programs and serving on the Virgin Islands Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners for the district of St. Thomas/St. John since 2018.

Medical Moment

World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17, aims to increase awareness and encourage the prevention, detection and management of hypertension.

More than one billion people globally live with hypertension (high blood pressure), which is a significant cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death.

This year’s theme is “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”. 

World Hypertension League members and partners are urged to engage in World Hypertension Day by conducting blood pressure screenings, issuing calls to action, organizing community events, disseminating media releases, and launching awareness campaigns globally.

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