January 26, 2026

Cayman Deputy Premier Gary Rutty champions collaboration 

screenshot For vidro click HERE

During the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) PAMAC Cruise Summit aboard Carnival Glory this month, Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade Development of the Cayman Islands, shared why collaboration matters.

He reflected on the value of PAMAC as a forum for exchanging best practices, learning from other destinations and identifying practical ideas that can be applied at home. His message centered on teamwork and a shared goal — delivering the best possible experience for cruise lines and their guests.

Looking ahead, Rutty emphasized that progress is not about reinventing the wheel, but about making strong systems even better through smart partnerships — all in service of an exceptional visitor experience.

Huna Totem appoints Hein Erasmus to Caribbean role

Huna Totem

Cruise industry executive Hein Erasmus has been appointed senior director of Caribbean operations and partner relations at Huna Totem Corporation (HTC), strengthening the company’s tourism portfolio and cruise line partnerships beyond Alaska.

In this role, Erasmus will lead cruise line engagement for HTC and oversee operational performance across the company’s Caribbean tourism ventures. He brings more than 20 years of global cruise industry experience, including senior leadership roles at Disney Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line. His background spans port adventures and destination development, with extensive experience managing multimillion-dollar programs and overseeing shoreside operations across global destinations.

HTC’s Caribbean tourism operations are in partnership with Chukka Caribbean Adventures, a family-owned company founded in 1983 that develops sustainable tourism experiences rooted in local culture. Through this partnership, HTC acquired a stake in Chukka USVI and is working alongside Chukka to advance tourism ventures in the Caribbean that emphasize community benefit, environmental responsibility and high-quality guest experiences.

Janelle Hopkin represents a legacy of Caribbean pride and leadership

Click for video

Janelle Hopkin, President and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, was among the honorees recognized at the 2025 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards & Fundraiser, held during Caribbean Weekend in Miami in December.

In her remarks, the third-generation hotelier expressed gratitude to CMEx and paid tribute to the people who shaped her leadership journey — including her mother, Lady Betty Hopkin, her young son Royston and the enduring legacy of her late father, Sir Royston Hopkin, KCMG. 

She reflected on growing up immersed in Caribbean hospitality and advocacy, crediting her father’s lifelong passion for the region with instilling in her a commitment to protect Caribbean identity, culture and values.

Enjoy the video clip of her remarks.

Quotable Caribbean

“St. Vincent and the Grenadines has long been a valued partner of the (Caribbean Development) Bank, and we see strong momentum to take this collaboration even further — particularly in the areas of sustainable agriculture, tourism, the blue economy and the creative industries. I am encouraged by the road ahead and inspired by the possibilities before us. As a team, we will work to unlock a future where St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and our wider Caribbean, can truly thrive.” — Daniel Best, President, Caribbean Development Bank

Tink Bout It

“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., American Civil Rights Leader

Medical Moment

World Cancer Day is observed on February 4, 2026.

The 2025–2027 theme, “United by Unique,” places people at the center of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation. Every experience with cancer is different, and it will take all of us — working together — to create a world where we look beyond the disease and see the person before the patient.

This World Cancer Day, let us unite to help rewrite the future of cancer care — one where the needs of individuals, families and communities come first.

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