October 6, 2025

Successful conclusion to SOTIC 2025 in Barbados

Caribbean tourism ministers and commissioners talk tourism with communications professionals Krystal Hoyte and Bevan Springer in Barbados last week.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) 2025 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) concluded on a successful note at Hilton Barbados Resort last week, bringing together ministers, directors, executives, researchers and media under the theme “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism: Research, Relevance and the Road Ahead”.  The dynamic program featured sessions on airlift, cruise development, sports tourism, medical and wellness travel, and the shifting dynamics of traditional and emerging markets. With a strong emphasis on research-driven insights, innovation and collaboration, the conference provided delegates with actionable strategies to navigate an evolving tourism landscape and ensure the sector’s continued vitality. From the Regional Youth Congress to vibrant cultural showcases, SOTIC 2025 captured the spirit of a united Caribbean, while providing a vital forum for networking and partnership. As delegates departed, there was consensus that SOTIC 2025 in Barbados was not only a resounding success, but also a pivotal step in charting the region’s path toward a sustainable and competitive future. Next up: CTO’s Tourism HR Conference in the British Virgin Islands from Oct. 28–31, 2025. For more details visit https://hrconference.onecaribbean.org.

CMEx Laureate Spotlight: Muryad de Bruin

This week we continue a series highlighting Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) laureates, who will be recognized on Sunday, December 7, in Miami at Loews Coral Gables Hotel.

Born and raised in Curaçao, Muryad de Bruin developed a fervent passion for hospitality and tourism from a young age, which motivated him to pursue studies in Hospitality Management at the secondary school level. After completing his high school education, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business & Management with a minor in marketing. A few years later, at the University of Curaçao, he obtained his Master’s degree in Strategic Management.

Beginning his professional journey in Curaçao in the airline industry before transitioning to roles in the retail and banking sectors, de Bruin later joined the Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), marking a new chapter in his career. During his first two years at CTB, he served as Regional Manager South America. From 2018 to 2022, he was responsible for driving tourism growth in Europe, holding the title of Regional Manager Europe.

Today, as Managing Director and a member of the senior management team at CTB, de Bruin is devoted to the sustainable development of Curaçao’s tourism industry. His mission is to foster local community involvement in tourism while providing a safe and sustainable destination for all visitors.

The CMEx Leadership Awards is powered by Platinum Sponsor Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. Other sponsors include Calabash Cove Resort & Spa (St. Lucia); Carnival Corporation & plc; Chukka Caribbean Adventures; Coco Palm (St. Lucia); Comfort Suites Paradise Island (Bahamas); Jade Mountain (St. Lucia); Ladera Resort (St. Lucia); Marketplace Excellence Corporation; Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board (Bahamas); Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour (St. Kitts); Rodman Marketing Guru; Round Hill Hotel and Villas (Jamaica); The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission; Tropical Attractions; Tropical Shipping; and Vanessa James Media.

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

For tickets and details, visit cmexmedia.org.

Josh Weinstein, President & CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc; Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA); and British Virgin Islands Minister for Communications and Works Kye Rymer, at the FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show in Mazatlán, Mexico (2023) — a strong reminder of the value of industry collaboration in shaping the future of cruise tourism. 

 Next stop: San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 2025 FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show, October 21-24. For more details, visit fccaconference.com.

Quotable Caribbean

“One good thing about music, when it hits, you feel no pain.” — Bob Marley, Jamaican singer, songwriter and guitarist

“Is it time to establish a braintrust — a collective of sharp, independent thinkers who can offer fresh perspectives to help chart the nation’s path forward? The idea is simple: assemble experienced professionals, diverse creative thinkers, and community voices who are free from political baggage. Their task would be to generate solutions, stimulate national debate, and provide the public with alternative lenses through which to view our challenges. In a small society like ours, such a group could serve as a much-needed compass when official rhetoric and daily struggles seem out of sync.” — Dr. Basil Springer, Director, Marketplace Excellence

Proverbially West Indian

“Trouble nuh set like rain.”

This Caribbean proverb reminds us that challenges often come without warning. Unlike rain, which is usually foreshadowed by signs such as dark clouds or thunder, trouble can appear suddenly and catch us off guard. It’s a call to be prepared, resilient and steady in facing life’s uncertainties — because even when problems arrive unexpectedly, how we respond can make all the difference.

Medical Moment

World Sight Day 2025 takes place on October 9 and focuses on eye health and the global effort to prevent blindness and improve life for people with vision loss.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is estimated that 5,000 people per million are blind and 20,000 are visually impaired. Two-thirds of blindness is caused by treatable conditions such as cataracts.

World Sight Day reminds us to make our eye health a priority. Detecting problems early makes treatment easier and helps protect our sight for the long term.

This year’s theme, #LoveYourEyes, highlights the need for accessible, available and affordable eye care worldwide.

Communities and organizations across the region are being urged to advocate for better access to quality eye care — so that everyone can look forward to a future with the chance to see clearly.

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