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

MARCH 18, 2024

Spring 2024 is here

Spring marks the season when nature stirs from its slumber and humans embrace the warmer days to celebrate renewal and radiant days ahead. As the dark, brief days of winter recede, a spectrum of floral hues begins to enliven our lengthening days, heralding the arrival of brighter times.

In this spirit of revival, we welcome the flourishing of Caribbean tourism, a vital force that enriches the beauty and health of our islands and bolsters the well-being of our communities. With new things on the horizon, let’s celebrate the bountiful gifts of spring in the upcoming months.

Airline talks take off in Colombia this week

Team St. Kitts at Routes Americas in Chicago last year

Routes Americas 2024, the route development forum for the Americas, opens in Bogotá, Colombia on Tuesday.

This premier air service development forum uniting the Americas brings together senior decision-makers from the region’s leading airlines, airports and other tourism and aviation stakeholders.

The Caribbean will have a strong presence at the meeting with several destinations in attendance, along with the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

A highlight of the event is the Caribbean-focused panel discussion “Aviation Competitiveness in the Caribbean”, scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, from 2:35 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Panelists include Dr. Kenneth Romer (Deputy Director General, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation); Trevor Sadler (CEO, interCaribbean Airways); Hans van de Velde (CEO, Windward Islands Airways International – WINAIR); Rafael Echevarne (Director General Latin America & Caribbean, Airports Council International – ACI); and Peter Cerdá (Regional Vice President, The Americas, IATA), with David Appleby (Director, ASM) moderating.

“In an era where connectivity is the driving force behind recovery and progress, our participation in Routes Americas is a significant step for the Caribbean. It’s a platform that allows us to amplify our presence and forge essential partnerships within the global aviation ecosystem,” emphasized Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO’s Secretary-General.

Seatrade set for Miami Beach April 8-11

Alexander Gumbs, CEO Port St. Maarten (center), with Team SXM at last year’s conference

Following the Routes Americas airline meetings in Colombia this week, regional tourism delegates will be gearing up for Seatrade Cruise Global, the preeminent gathering for the global cruise industry. 

Scheduled to take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach from April 8-11, 2024, this event is set to draw significant participation from the Caribbean and highlight the industry’s steadfast journey towards a sustainable future.

This year’s theme, “The Evolution of Cruise”, sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of the rebounding market. Attendees will have the opportunity to delve into various areas, including port and destination developments, advancements in sustainability, and cost control strategies, offering a holistic view of the cruise industry’s future direction.

Quotable Caribbean

“The main thing I’ve learned in 40-plus years as an entrepreneur is that nobody knows anything. Nobody knows if your idea is good or bad. You don’t know if it’s good or bad. You need to test your idea, trial it, collide it with reality. That’s the only way to learn.” – Marc Randolph, Netflix Co-Founder, Entrepreneur, Mentor & Investor

Guyanese-American actress to be honored in NYC

Caribbean-American actress Dawnn Lewis will be honored at the upcoming annual Schneps Media Caribbean Impact Awards, known for recognizing exceptional individuals of Caribbean descent.

A distinguished Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and acclaimed actor, Lewis has made a significant impact on the entertainment landscape while dedicating herself to philanthropic initiatives aimed at empowering underprivileged youth and grassroots organizations. 

Born to Guyanese parents and hailing from the vibrant neighborhoods of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Flatbush in Brooklyn, Lewis exemplifies excellence and compassion in all her endeavors. 

“Being honored at the Caribbean Impact Awards is deeply meaningful to me as it recognizes my journey of empowerment and service as a proud representative of the Guyanese community,” said Lewis. “As an actor, storytelling has been my tool for inspiration and social change, while my philanthropy directly impacts those in need. This recognition reinforces my belief in the power of unity, resilience and collective action for positive change.”

As founder and CEO of A New Day Foundation, Lewis advocates for underprivileged youth and supports grassroots nonprofits globally. Her charitable efforts have impacted communities across the United States, as well as in Guyana and India. She holds an Honorary Doctorate in the Humanities, recognizing over four decades of dedicated service.

Lewis is currently participating in a historic reunion tour with the cast of A Different World, marking 37 years since the show’s inception. They are embarking on a 10-city tour, visiting a series of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the nation to share their experiences and memories.

The Schneps Media Caribbean Impact Awards will take place on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York.

Celebrating Women of the U.S. Virgin Island

In its celebration of Women’s History Month, the 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee of the Virgin Islands is dedicating special recognition to a “Dozen Roses” – 12 distinguished women who have made significant contributions in various fields, thereby enriching the community and enhancing the quality of life in the Virgin Islands.

We begin our spotlight today of these exceptional women:

Karla Yhan – Ocean Transportation: Karla Yhan, as the Island Manager for Tropical Shipping St. Croix, stands out for her leadership in a traditionally male-dominated sector. With 18 years of experience and nearly a decade in her current role, Yhan oversees a team of more than 50 individuals across commercial, administrative, and operational areas. A native of St. Croix with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from DeVry University, Yhan is dedicated to educating the Virgin Islands community about the significance of ocean transportation and supporting young women aspiring to enter the field.

Dr. Karen H. Brown – Educational Leadership: Dr. Karen H. Brown, Dean of the School of Education and a tenured Professor at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), exemplifies dedication and excellence in higher education. With over two decades of experience in higher education and 14 years in leadership roles, Dr. Brown’s academic journey is marked by her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of South Florida and her significant contributions to early childhood education, notably through the establishment of the UVI Inclusive Early Learning Lab School.

Medical Moment

World Immunization Week takes place during the last week of April.

This year, World Immunization Week marks a significant milestone: it celebrates 50 years of the Essential Program on Immunization (EPI). 

Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974, EPI aimed to combat and prevent various communicable diseases through systematic immunization programs. 

From six vaccines, the EPI has expanded during the past five decades to include 13 vaccines, including Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), Hepatitis B (HepB), polio, measles, rubella, pneumococcal disease (PNC), rotavirus (Rota), human papillomavirus (HPV), and COVID-19 (for adults). 

Vaccines are one of the safest and most cost-effective public health interventions that prevent fatalities worldwide.

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