The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) PAMAC Summitis getting underway in Jamaica. 

Cruise line executives and FCCA Platinum Partners are arriving in Montego Bay for three days of important networking and discussions to chart the course of the cruise industry. 

Delegates will examine emerging trends and unlock new avenues for collaboration while sampling Jamaica’s tourism experiences.

Stakeholders will meet corporately and during one-on-one breakout sessions over the next few days with a view to strengthening and 

Hyatt Regency Trinidad welcomes new GM

Hyatt Regency Trinidad has named Michael Hooper as its new General Manager. 

Hooper, of Bahamian heritage, brings a distinguished record of success with over 30 years of international experience in the hospitality industry. 

He has extensive knowledge in the role of GM, having served for the past seven years as General Manager of the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon. 

His previous roles include Hotel Manager at the 1,500-room Hilton Chicago; General Manager of the Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort; Vice President and Managing Director at Cable Beach Resorts in Nassau, Bahamas; General Manager at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau; General Manager at Hilton London Gatwick Airport; and General Manager at Hilton London Kensington. 

Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Hooper was awarded Hotelier of the Year by the Bahamas Hotel Association in 2005, and General Manager of the Year for Hilton United Kingdom Hotels in 1997.

CMEx supports CHTA Education Foundation

CHTAEF Chairman Karolin Troubetzkoy (second from right) and CHTAEF Administrator Tracy Bell (left) receive a CMEx contribution from President Bevan Springer and HR Director Leslie Welch at the Montego Bay Convention Centre last month.

The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) recently demonstrated its support for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF). 

CMEx President Bevan Springer presented a check to the Foundation team at the Caribbean Travel Marketplace held in Montego Bay, Jamaica in May. 

CHTAEF offers scholarships and special assistance for the education of Caribbean tourism industry personnel and students pursuing tourism and hospitality careers. 

As part of its mission, the Foundation raises awareness of the varied career opportunities in the industry and provides technical and professional development throughout the Caribbean region.

The mission of CMEx is to support and develop the ability of the media, government, the travel and tourism industry and communities to consider the importance of tourism in sustainable development, while lending a hand to the communities involved by sharing relevant expertise, financial and in-kind assistance.

Tourism leaders gear up for Caribbean Week

With less than a week to go, there’s much excitement in the air for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York, to be held at the InterContinental New York Times Square, June 16-21, 2024.

As the organization celebrates its 35th anniversary under the theme “Connecting the Globe, Celebrating Diversity”, Caribbean Week will highlight the dynamic facets of Caribbean tourism, including the evolving business landscape and strategic initiatives propelling the tourism industry forward.

The week will feature notable events including the Caribbean Media Awards, a Business and Tourism Marketing Symposium, and special sessions on artificial intelligence, destination management and airlift development, all designed to foster innovation and strategic dialogue among industry leaders.

For more information, visit https://caribbeanweek.onecaribbean.org

Bahamas backs Caribbean Week in New York

screenshot. To view video click HERE

The Bahamas is the headline sponsor of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Caribbean Week in New York, happening June 16-21, 2024, in New York City. The Bahamas brings energy, elegance, and excitement to this year’s event at the InterContinental New York Times Square. Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism of The Bahamas, ushers delegates into the excitement in this video clip.

Quotable Caribbean

“I look forward to sharing insights of our success in airlift with CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organization). We are also thrilled to be a Platinum Sponsor of Caribbean Week 2024 and the opportunity it presents to grow tourism in our country and across the region. This annual event is a fantastic platform to share strategies, reinvigorate connections and polish the image of the greater Caribbean as an inviting destination for travel of all types.” – I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, The Bahamas

Medical Moment

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day is on June 19. The Global Alliance of Sickle Cell Disease Organizations has confirmed this year’s theme: “Hope Through Progress: Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally”.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells become rigid and deform into a crescent or sickle shape. These sickled cells die prematurely and can get lodged in small blood vessels, restricting blood flow and potentially causing serious health problems such as anemia, acute and chronic pain, infections, pneumonia, acute chest syndrome, stroke, and diseases of the kidney, liver and heart.

Outside of West Africa, the Caribbean has the highest incidence of sickle cell disease. Diagnosis necessitates inheriting a sickle cell gene mutation from both parents. Individuals who inherit this mutation from just one parent have sickle cell trait; they do not develop SCD but can pass the gene mutation to their children.

This year’s initiative encourages individuals to determine their traits and understand the importance of staying hydrated.

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