January 6, 2025

FCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit sets sail

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) PAMAC Cruise Summit embarks today from Miami aboard MSC Divina, bringing together cruise executives and FCCA Platinum members for a week of discussions on key industry matters.

Attendees will participate in a series of sessions, including a business card exchange, an industry update meeting featuring insights from cruise lines, and strategic one-on-one meetings between cruise industry leaders and partners from the Caribbean and Latin America.

Delegates will also visit Nassau and MSC’s Ocean Cay Marine Reserve— a Bahamian private island located in the district of Bimini. The reserve was founded on a strong commitment to restoring natural resources and conserving coral reefs and marine life

CTO heads to ATL for Travel and Adventure Show

CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper is slated to address one of the sessions during the Atlanta show.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is starting 2025 on an upbeat note with a strategic partnership aimed at attracting more U.S. travelers to the region. Teaming up with the Travel & Adventure Shows, the largest series of travel expos in the United States, CTO will have a significant presence at five of the shows during the first quarter.

The series kicks off this weekend, January 11-12, at the Georgia International Convention Center, where Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper will discuss “Authentic Caribbean Experiences for Every Traveler” as a featured speaker in the show’s Destination Theater. 

This collaboration offers CTO an opportunity to connect directly with travel enthusiasts, industry professionals and media, showcasing the Caribbean’s rich and diverse offerings.

This initiative highlights CTO’s ongoing commitment to promoting the region as a premier travel destination. With dedicated booths at each show, the partnership is set to strengthen the Caribbean’s position in the competitive U.S. travel market.

Following the Atlanta event, the CTO will also be present at shows in New York (Jan 25-26), Chicago (Feb 1-2), Dallas (March 22-23), and Washington, D.C. (March 29-30).

Screenshot-Gloria and Solomon Herbert share heartfelt remarks on being named 2024 CMEx Leadership Award Laureates – For video click HERE

The 2024 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards and Fundraiser, held last month at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Miami, honored Gloria and Solomon Herbert for their decades-long contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion in travel and tourism. 

Founders of Black Meetings & Tourism, the Herberts have championed the $129+ billion African American travel market, fostering stronger ties between the Caribbean and African American travelers through advocacy, media and outreach.

During the awards ceremony, attendees observed a moment of silence to reflect on the recent passing of the Herberts’ son, Solomon II, which prevented them from attending in person. 

In a heartfelt video message, they spoke of their mission to build connections between African Americans and the Caribbean, encouraging leisure travel and conferences to the region.

Caribbean Caption

Caribbean queens were celebrated in New York City last summer.

One of the tourism industry highlights of 2024 was the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s celebration of trailblazing women at its Women’s Leadership Awards during Caribbean Week in New York. 

Beverly Nicholson-Doty of the U.S. Virgin Islands received the “Secretary-General’s Distinguished Service Award” for over 30 years of transformative leadership in regional tourism. Other honorees included Valérie Damaseau, Commissioner of Tourism and Culture for Saint-Martin, and Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, who were recognized for their leadership excellence. 

The event, dubbed “Caribbean Queens: Saluting Women Shaping the Future of Caribbean Tourism” Breakfast & Awards, highlighted the vital contributions of women to the growth and success of Caribbean tourism.

Caribbean Week in New York will be held June 1-6 this year.

Digital Digest

User-Generated Content (UGC): Turning Travelers into Storytellers

Stunning vacation photos and engaging videos — UGC is marketing gold! It’s authentic, shareable and exactly what today’s traveler craves.

Why UGC Matters

• Authenticity: Travelers trust real experiences over polished ads.
• Community: UGC sparks excitement and fosters shared adventures.
• Credibility: Real people, real fun, real reasons to visit the Caribbean.

Fuel a UGC Boom

• Run Contests: Host photo and video contests with irresistible prizes. Use a catchy, region-wide hashtag.
• Spotlight UGC: Feature top submissions on your website and social media channels.
• Make It Simple: Provide clear instructions, a dedicated hashtag, and even a toolkit with sample captions.

Legal Musts

• Get Permission: Always ask before sharing someone’s content.
• Give Credit: Tag and celebrate the creator.

UGC creates a vibrant community of passionate advocates who inspire others to experience the Caribbean!

Need help? Contact our MPE experts today.

Quotable Caribbean

“I know this year, 2024, has been one filled with a unique blend of transformation, tension and resilience. We have faced challenges that have stretched us beyond what we thought possible. We have encountered challenges that have tested our unity, our faith and our strength. But through it all, we stood together as Bajans, embodying the spirit of perseverance that runs through our veins and that has indeed carried us through generations.” – Mia Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados

Proverbially West Indian

“Take in front before in front take yuh.” (Trinidad)

Meaning: Take precautions or prepare yourself in advance before trouble or problems arise. It emphasizes being proactive rather than reactive, suggesting that it’s better to handle a situation or address a potential issue early rather than being caught off guard later.

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