January 12, 2026

High seas, high stakes: 2026 FCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit ignites tourism momentum

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) 2026 PAMAC Cruise Summit concluded last week with strong engagement and a renewed sense of purpose for the future of Caribbean cruise tourism. 

From January 5-9, Carnival Glory was transformed into a floating conference venue, bringing together senior cruise line executives, FCCA Platinum members, and key destination partners for an intensive program focused on strengthening collaboration between ship and shore. 

The summit’s signature business format delivered a series of strategic meetings and high-value one-on-one sessions, widely praised by participants for driving meaningful dialogue and actionable outcomes.
Discussions throughout the week centered on core industry priorities, including optimizing shore operations, enhancing destination partnerships, and elevating the overall passenger journey to meet evolving traveler expectations. 

Complementing the formal agenda, networking receptions and site visits to Carnival’s Celebration Key and Nassau, Bahamas, provided additional opportunities to deepen relationships and advance shared goals. 

As the voyage wrapped at Port Canaveral, momentum among FCCA Platinum members and cruise industry executives was strong, fueled in large part by the exceptional hospitality and support of the entire Carnival Corporation & plc team.

From insight to action at PAMAC

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During the 2026 FCCA Platinum Cruise Summit, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication of St. Maarten, shared how her second year at the Summit marked a shift from learning the cruise industry to advancing concrete projects and partnerships.

With a deeper understanding of how the sector works, the focus this year centered on closing deals, developing creative ideas to enhance St. Maarten’s tourism product, and strengthening collaboration with cruise partners — a key priority for driving sustainable growth and long-term benefits for the destination.

Dave Chang dedicates 2025 CMEx Leadership Award to his father

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Family, legacy and giving back were at the heart of Dave Chang’s acceptance of the 2025 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Award in Miami in December, as he dedicated the honor to his father and the values that shaped his life and career.

Chang, Senior Vice President, Consumer Sales and Contact Centers at Carnival Cruise Line, reflected on how his father’s upbringing in Jamaica — and the mentors who helped change the course of his life — inspired a lifelong commitment to service, leadership and creating opportunity for others.

Chang also highlighted Carnival’s deep and longstanding relationship with the Caribbean, spanning more than five decades and built on strong partnerships with destinations across the region. He emphasized the cruise company’s role in delivering millions of visitors to Caribbean ports while supporting local economies and communities. That same spirit of partnership, he noted, extends to his philanthropic efforts.

Quotable Caribbean

“We are living in changing times, uncertain times, uncharted waters in many instances, and my job as the steward of your affairs and the servant of your wishes is to keep Jamaica safe — not to steer into waters for which we don’t have to go, not to invite problems on ourselves when we have our own problems to deal with. This is not us recoiling from our principles and duties. Jamaica has always been consistent and we have always been the strong voice of reason for small developing countries globally and continue to be.” — Dr. Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Jamaica

Cricket West Indies President issues new year rallying cry

Dr. Kishore Shallow

In a New Year’s address to the region, Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr. Kishore Shallow has called for a renewed “culture of accountability” and declared that on-field improvement is no longer optional, but “imperative” for the future of the sport.

Reflecting on a challenging 2025 that was marked by both financial strain and inconsistent team performances, Dr. Shallow, who was recently appointed St. Vincent and the Grenadines Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development, offered a candid assessment of the current state of West Indies cricket while outlining a roadmap for regional resurgence.

Key Highlights of the President’s Message:

• A “Winning Intent”: Acknowledging that performances have not met historical standards, Dr. Shallow emphasized that CWI is committed to strengthening player support and fostering a resilient, winning culture across all formats.
• Financial Prudence: The President noted that while CWI has navigated a difficult economic period, “continued prudence” is required in 2026 to ensure the long-term sustainability of the regional game.
• CARICOM Relations: Despite differences in perspectives from time to time, Dr. Shallow reaffirmed that the relationship with CARICOM leaders remains strong, built on a shared belief in cricket as a “source of Caribbean pride.”
• Unity as a Pillar: Describing West Indies cricket as a “shared inheritance,” he urged fans and stakeholders to remain united as one “West Indies family.”

Read more here: https://caribbeantourismauthority.com/cwi-president-dr-kishore-shallow-signals-new-era-of-accountability-and-winning-intent-for-2026/

Proverbially West Indian

“Common sense make before book sense.”

This enduring Caribbean proverb means that wisdom isn’t found only in classrooms or textbooks. It’s a call to value practical knowledge, lived experience and sharp intuition. These are the qualities that often guide us more effectively than formal learning alone. In life, business and leadership, it’s good judgment and grounded thinking that truly set the foundation for lasting success.

Medical Moment

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, is caused by a bacterium and is curable with medication. More than 200,000 new individuals are diagnosed with leprosy every year in over 120 countries worldwide.

The main objectives of World Leprosy Day are to:

• Raise awareness and disseminate accurate information about leprosy, combating stigma, misconceptions, and discrimination that continue to marginalize those affected.
• Promote the accessibility of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to assist individuals impacted by leprosy.
• Promote access to early diagnosis, effective treatment, rehabilitation, and support services for individuals impacted by the disease.
• Strengthen global collaboration, political commitment, and resource allocation to interrupt transmission, eliminate leprosy as a public health problem, and ensure dignity for persons affected by it.

This day reminds us that while leprosy is curable and not highly contagious, stigma remains a major barrier. Collective action can help achieve a world free from leprosy-related discrimination and suffering.

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