MPE CARIBBEAN REPORT NEWSLETTER – February 26, 2024

February 26, 2024

The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter offers travel, tourism, Caribbean and global news weekly. To share stories, information or intelligence, contact us at [email protected].

CHTA gearing up for Marketplace 42

Anticipation is building for the 42nd Annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace, organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). This premier travel event is scheduled to run from May 20 to 23, 2024, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Jamaica.

MPE Caribbean Report spoke with Nicola Madden-Greig, President of CHTA, to get an update on the preparations for this major industry gathering.

For registration details, visit www.chtamarketplace.com.

Click HERE for video to watch the report.

Dominica tourism body hires marketing manager

Andia M. Ravariere Credit: LinkedIn

Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) has appointed Andia M. Ravariere as the tourism organization’s new Destination Marketing Manager.

Ravariere, an advocate of sustainable tourism development who hails from “The Nature Island”, previously played a key role in the successful reopening of Anguilla’s tourism sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With her exceptional background and credentials, Ms. Ravariere embodies the vision and mission of Discover Dominica. Her passion for developing sustainable community-based programs aligns perfectly with our objectives of creating inclusive growth within our tourism sector,” said Colin Piper, CEO of Discover Dominica Authority.

“I look forward to making productive and amicable connections with all tourism contributors on the island. One of my greatest passions is seizing opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods via sustainable tourism efforts. I am excited to work with our DDA team and the Ministry of Tourism to retarget dwindling markets and target new niche markets, driving international and regional traffic to Dominica,” stated Ravariere, who previously worked with Anguilla’s Ministry of Tourism.

Food, Wine and Fête returning to Florida

VJ Media, led by Caribbean-American media maven Vanessa James, is gearing up for an exciting event this spring in Miami with the highly anticipated return of the Food, Wine and Fête (FWF) experience.

Scheduled for May 18 at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami, Florida, the event promises to be a memorable celebration.

“More than a party with a purpose, FWF is an homage to the incredible creatives of the diaspora that we’ve had the pleasure of connecting with through our Caribbean journeys. There’s a great need to proudly celebrate our own, share their stories and honor the efforts that often go unseen. From our chefs to artists and entrepreneurs on the rise, this is the season to celebrate YOU and we’re honored to do just that,” said James, who co-founded the event with Marcos Rodriguez in 2019.

Attendees can look forward to an exceptional, all-inclusive experience that highlights the Caribbean diaspora’s finest chefs, mixologists, tastemakers, and culinary innovators. The event will also feature curated pop-up experiences and giveaways from partnering brands.

For more details, visit www.foodwineandfete.com

Quotable Caribbean

“There’s been a notable shift throughout the region to shorter booking windows as travelers have been seeking more last-minute getaways, and the continued trend of ‘bucket list travel’ where visitors are no longer waiting to book their dream vacations, has had a positive impact on a destination such as Turks and Caicos. The diminishing shoulder season … is another encouraging factor, ensuring a more consistent flow of tourism throughout the entire year, transcending traditional peak seasons.” – Karen Whitt, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, The Hartling Group (Travel Pulse)

Photo credit: Paradise Photography

February Flashback

Caribbean tourism executives, known for their passion and dedication, work tirelessly to boost both arrivals and revenues in the region. Flashing back to February 2023, we revisit the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s business meetings in Curaçao. Among those in attendance were (from left) Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority; Wendy McDonald, Regional Vice President, Government Relations, Caribbean for Royal Caribbean; Haydn Hughes, Anguilla’s Minister of Tourism; and Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism in The Bahamas.

Medical Moment

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day takes place on March 24, 2024.

TB still represents one of the deadliest diseases worldwide, and the increase in drug-resistant TB over the last decade continues to be a concern.

Recommended activities to reduce the prevalence of TB include:

Increasing access to quality-assured rapid TB diagnosis.

Enabling preventative TB treatment provision for high-risk individuals.

Ensuring complete uptake of highly effective, safe and short treatment regimens for TB as well as drug-resistant TB.

Making it easier for patients to continue with their lives while undergoing treatment, with no injections and minimal hospitalization.