MARCH 27, 2023

“Forward Momentum” to Seatrade in Fort Lauderdale

The Seatrade Cruise Global Conference kicks off in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this week from March 27-30.

The conference brings together industry experts and executives from all over the world to discuss the future of cruising, the latest trends, and innovations.

With the theme “Forward Momentum”, this year’s conference will focus on short- and long-term innovations and business plans that will shape the future of cruising. 

The conference will also address topics such as home port considerations, luxury cruising, social media, and sustainable experiences.

Caribbean destinations will be prominently featured through creative displays at their trade show booths where they will showcase their offerings and discuss ways to improve the guest experience.

St. Maarten becomes FCCA Presidential Partner

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has announced that St. Maarten has renewed and increased its strategic development agreement with the organization for 2023. 

The new agreement makes St. Maarten a “Presidential Partner”, the Association’s exclusive, capped program limited to three destination partners and focused on their specific goals.

“As we move towards the future, we are excited to partner with FCCA and further develop the business and destination through various initiatives,” said Alexander Gumbs, CEO of Port St. Maarten. 

Gumbs explained the package includes employment opportunities for locals where FCCA will provide access to expertise in preparing and implementing a Destination Employment Strategy; Destination Site Inspections for Port Operations and Shore Excursion Executives; priority in Training Opportunities; and Data & Insight on areas such as economic impact, daily spending, calls and passenger volume.

Through the agreement, FCCA will not only guide St. Maarten’s public sector on ways to enhance the product and increase cruise calls, but also will collaborate with the local private sector to create new experiences and maximize opportunities, including the purchasing of local goods and hiring of citizens. 

Additional features of the strategic partnership include a focus on converting cruise guests to stay-over visitors, promoting summer cruising, engaging travel agents, creating consumer demand and developing a destination service needs assessment that will detail strengths, opportunities and needs.

Caribbean teams attend Routes Americas

Caribbean nations and territories, along with the inter-governmental Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), attended the Routes Americas airline conference in Chicago last week, with the aim of improving air connectivity and the travel experience in the region.

Delegations focused their discussions on strengthening air capacity and working towards a brighter future for the region’s Caribbean travel and tourism sector.

Routes Americas provides a platform to build high-value relationships with a qualified audience of air service development decision-makers.

Turks and Caicos Islands lift all COVID-19 entry requirements

The Turks and Caicos Islands will no longer require travelers to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 before arriving in the destination.

The vaccination lift, which will go into effect on April 1, 2023, is the result of a rapid decrease in COVID-19 cases and zero new COVID-19-related deaths in recent months. 

“We are thrilled to announce this new development and to safely welcome visitors back to our beautiful island destination,” said Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

“Our top priority has always been the health and well-being of our residents and travelers, and we are confident that we can continue to maintain a safe environment without these restrictions,” she stated.

Digital Digest