Christmas is here!

As we reflect on 2023, we recognize the remarkable resilience and revival the Caribbean region has shown in overcoming significant challenges. We are heartened by the renewed energy and confidence our people and communities have demonstrated, propelling us forward to a bright future.



In this season of joy, all of us at Marketplace Excellence and Caribbean Media Exchange extend our warmest wishes to you for a wonderful year ahead. 

May the spirit of the season bring you closer to your loved ones, and may you be blessed with the light and love that radiates so brightly during this special time of year.

A trailblazing journey in Bahamian tourism

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Joy Jibrilu, CEO of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, delivers a heartfelt acceptance speech in Miami.

This month in Miami, Joy Jibrilu, a beacon of Bahamian and Caribbean pride and dedication, received the 2023 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Award. 

As the first Bahamian and the first woman appointed CEO of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), Jibrilu not only leads the organization with a deeply personal passion but has also been an instrumental figure in promoting the unique culture and attributes of The Bahamas. Her commitment to showcasing the beauty and spirit of her homeland, as well as the broader Caribbean region, has resonated deeply within the tourism industry. 

In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude for being recognized for her contributions to the field of tourism. She reflected on her journey, acknowledging the late Honorable Obie Wilchcombe, former Minister of Tourism of The Bahamas and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), who played a pivotal role in her career. Her appreciation extended to her dedicated team at NPIPB, who she described as “small but mighty”. 

She acknowledged the often-unseen sacrifices made by her family, underscoring the personal costs of professional dedication. Her words were a tribute not only to her achievements but also to the collective effort and support of those around her.

Celebrating three decades of Caribbean tourism excellence

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Beverly Nicholson-Doty, CEO of Figment Design, in Miami this month.

The 2023 CMEx Leadership Awards event in Miami was graced by the presence of Beverly Nicholson-Doty, CEO of Figment Design, who exemplifies the spirit of excellence and dedication. 

For more than 30 years, Nicholson-Doty has not only turned challenges into opportunities and triumphs within the travel, tourism and hospitality industries of the Caribbean, but has also devoted herself to mentoring and supporting the next generation of professionals. 

Her commitment to the growth and development of the region has been unwavering, and her leadership has been a source of support for many aspiring professionals.

The former long-serving Commissioner of Tourism of the U.S. Virgin Islands and CTO Chairman expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her family, the Virgin Islands community, and her adopted home of St. Lucia, where she previously served as CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. 

Her remarks are a powerful reminder of the vital role of sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean and the collective effort required to achieve it.

Quotable Caribbean

“For too long, our primary focus has been on the sheer number of visitors which can be at the expense of the overall quality of the experiences and the economic benefits to our people. We must recognise the true measure of success in tourism lies not just in quantity alone but in quality of their experiences and the economic value they bring.” – Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts and Nevis (St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service)

The Digital Case Study 2024

As the year wraps up, evaluating your performance for 2023 is essential to understanding how 2024 will shape up. Whether you are an agency, a brand or an entrepreneur, crafting your digital media report will unearth functional insights and also help to align expectations for the coming year. Here are some points to consider while writing your report:

• Data collection: The first step is to ensure that there was ample and programmatic data collection throughout the year. If it’s too late to do so, then try to salvage whatever data is available. The goal is to collect and present data on a monthly basis to understand how you are progressing.  

• Highlight the pattern: There’s always a pattern when annual data is analyzed. Examine the performance lows and highs based on product changes, major calendar events, content theme/quality, campaigns, and consumer sentiments. Use the patterns to structure an improved digital strategy.
• Analyze platform performance: Not every platform works for every brand and for every message. Analysis of which objective and which communication works on specific platforms is key to understanding “platform priority” for 2024.
• Examine challenges: Assess your digital communication challenges for the year. Understanding these will lead to solutions in 2024. Use historical data to reveal evergreen, new and situational challenges.
• Celebrate and elevate: Use this opportunity to reinforce what worked in 2023. It’s important to celebrate wins to ingrain what works into the culture of the organization. It elevates the team’s performance and the overall communication strategy.

Share the report with stakeholders (both internal and external) and gather feedback and input. Crafting a strategic year-end digital media report enables reflection on achievements and challenges, guiding strategic decisions for the digital journey ahead.

Medical Moment

Dr. Carissa Etienne, the medical doctor and public health trailblazer whose calm demeanor and resolve helped steer Latin America and the Caribbean through the COVID-19 pandemic, passed away at the age of 71 earlier this month.

Dr. Etienne, a native of Dominica, served as Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Americas from February 2013 to January 2023.

During her tenure, PAHO led the efforts to control Zika and chikungunya epidemics and cholera and yellow fever outbreaks in Haiti and Brazil, while significantly improving the organization’s response to emergencies and disasters within 48 hours.

Under her leadership, the Americas eliminated the endemic transmission of measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome, and made considerable strides in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. 

The MPE team joins the leaders of the public health fraternity and Caribbean nations in extending condolences to her family and friends.

Caribbean tourism’s top brass

Taken during the recent Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF)in Miami, this photo captures a trio of influential figures shaping Caribbean tourism. 

At left is Nicola Madden-Greig, the hardworking president of CHTA, a figure synonymous with experience and dedication in the industry. Centered in the frame is Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts in St. Lucia, the newly appointed CHTA President-elect, who continues to bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to the trade association. Completing the powerful lineup is Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), who is poised to steer the organization towards new horizons and strengthen CTO’s relationship with the private sector. 

Their impact and initiatives will undoubtedly be a focal point in the industry’s narrative in the new year.

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