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

JUNE 5, 2024

Caribbean-American Heritage Month

Happy Caribbean American Heritage Month! This month is characterized by celebrations of the history, culture and achievements of Caribbean Americans with various ceremonies and activities. 

One such event is the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Caribbean Week in New York, being held from June 16-21, 2024, in New York City.

“Caribbean Americans are dreamers and doers, always finding ways to push our country forward, reach new heights, and forge a more perfect Union,” said U.S. President Joseph Biden. “From the Caribbean Americans who helped build our country from the ground up to those who have only just arrived, they have all believed in the possibilities our country has to offer and strengthened the diverse fabric of our Nation. Above all, Caribbean Americans are leaders – they are our beloved doctors, nurses, teachers, athletes, artists, community organizers, entrepreneurs, and our service members and first responders, who put their lives on the line to keep the rest of us safe.” 

Caribbean Americans also make significant contributions to their homelands through remittances, travel and tourism, investment, and charitable contributions, further enhancing the bonds between the two regions.

CHTA Marketplace: Jamaica edition a success

Nicola Madden-Greig, OD

High fives to Jamaica hotelier Nicola Madden-Greig, President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), her team at CHTA, and Jamaican public and private sector stakeholders, on an excellent production of the 42nd Annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace. 

Held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Jamaica, from May 20-23, 2024, the meeting registered record-breaking attendance numbers, elevating the profile of the region and its offerings to buyer companies representing more than two dozen countries around the world.

Highlights from this year’s meeting included a special program for meeting planners and a Responsible Tourism Day, where delegates made a significant impact on local community projects. The success of this event underscores the Caribbean’s growing influence in the global tourism market, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future.

Patricia Affonso-Dass celebrated by her peers

Patricia Affonso-Dass

Heartiest congratulations to Patricia Affonso-Dass, Group General Manager of Ocean Hotels Group in Barbados, on being named the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.

A visibly emotional Affonso-Dass received accolades from her peers at Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Jamaica last month. This recognition is a testament to her decades-long dedication and exemplary leadership in the hospitality industry, underscoring her significant contributions to Barbados and the wider Caribbean region.

A true product of the Caribbean, Affonso-Dass, a past CHTA president, was born in Dominica and lived in Trinidad and Antigua before moving to Guyana, where she grew up. She has lived in Barbados for the past 22 years.

Vanessa Ledesma, CHTA’s Acting CEO and Director General, commented, “[Patricia’s] deep-rooted support for the development of Caribbean people has been exemplified throughout her career, as she’s discovered and developed countless local talent, mentoring and guiding them, with many moving on to positions of senior management and leadership in the industry.”  

MPE in the Mix

Team MPE spent several productive days in Jamaica last month, managing the regional and international press corps attending Caribbean Travel Marketplace while sharing its travel and tourism communications services with delegates. Pictured (left to right) are Leslie Welch (HR and Business Development), Lelei LeLaulu (Editorial and Sustainable Tourism), Abdul Wahid (Creative Services), President and CEO Bevan Springer, Natalia Lopez (Public Relations), and Darcel Choy (Media Relations and Digital Media Services). Springer shared that the meeting provided many opportunities to share insights and discover new avenues for growth.

Jamaica gears up for PAMAC conference

screenshot To view video click HERE

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) PAMAC Summitis set for Jamaica from June 11-14, 2024, with a busy agenda planned for cruise industry executives and stakeholders from around the Caribbean and Latin America. Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, highlights the significance of this key industry event.

Quotable Caribbean

“We want the world to understand and join us in celebrating the diversity of the Caribbean, its people, its music, its cuisines, its environment, and among many other things, its marine and coastal areas. We have so much to share, and we are determined to display the breathtaking diversity of our beautiful region.” – Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization (TravelAge West)

Honoring indigenous heritage

World’s Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on August 9. 

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 is a global event celebrating indigenous peoples and their rich, diverse cultures.

The significance of this day is profound. An estimated 476 million indigenous people worldwide span 90 countries and represent approximately 7,000 languages and 5,000 unique cultures. Latin America and the Caribbean are home to one of the largest indigenous populations, with approximately 800 different groups.

Indigenous peoples have long fought to preserve their heritage amidst the rapid changes of modern society, facing significant challenges in staying true to their roots.

This day also raises awareness about critical issues facing indigenous communities, including extreme poverty, marginalization, land disputes, and various human rights violations.

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