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 20, 2023

CHTA exec upbeat about plans for Marketplace in Barbados

Interest is strong for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)’s 41st Caribbean Travel Marketplace, to be held in Barbados from May 9-11.

CHTA Acting CEO and Director General Vanessa Ledesma visited the island last week to finalize arrangements and expressed her excitement about the upcoming event.

In a first for Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean nation will host the most important B2B appointment event in the Caribbean hospitality and tourism industry. 

Ledesma announced buyer registration is robust, and noted increased interest from the United Kingdom, where participation is outpacing previous years.

Marketplace has attracted new buyers focusing on emerging niches and opportunities for members, villa operators, MICE planners, destination wedding specialists, sports organizers, and travel advisors. 

The CHTA chief urged those who have not yet registered to secure their spots, as space is limited.

During her visit to Barbados, Ledesma held meetings to finalize arrangements and expressed that local tourism officials are exploring several innovative additions to the event that will delight attendees.

Host hotels have been announced, providing a diverse offering for delegates. 

For more information, visit www.chtamarketplace.com or contact the CHTA team at [email protected].

Strong Caribbean delegation to attend Routes Americas in Chicago

The Caribbean is set to make a powerful statement at Routes Americas 2023, which kicks off on Tuesday in Chicago.

Representatives from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curaçao,Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts,St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization, among others will be in attendance.

This impressive regional presence underscores the commitment of these nations and territories to foster collaboration and strengthen their aviation sectors at this key event, where senior decision-makers in the airline industry will meet with regional officials to discuss air service schedules as well as the increasing cost of air transportation.

Given the region’s critical reliance on airlift for tourism, trade and transport, a strong showing at Routes Americas is essential.

Barbados hotel offers a breath of fresh air

The O2 Beach Club and Spa is a delightful accommodation option in the Barbados resort landscape. This new luxury all-inclusive retreat is the latest addition to the Ocean Hotels Group, which is run by Group General Manager Patricia Affonso-Dass, a former President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

Guests at the resort can expect comfort and personalized service. The well-appointed guest rooms and suites feature contemporary design and upgraded amenities. With a range of dining, wellness, and relaxation options, the O2 Beach Club and Spa provides a perfect setting for a Barbados holiday.

The Ocean Hotels Group is a Barbadian family-owned company with properties located on the island’s South Coast. Service and quality are at the heart of the group’s mandate, and Bajan and Caribbean hospitality shines in all aspects of the experience.

The Ocean Hotels Group first entered the hotel business in 1992. Since then, there has been a focus on continuously renovating, upgrading, and expanding. The group has also invested in improving the management team and marketing capabilities, as well as developing and training team members. 



The Ocean Hotels Group also includes Sea Breeze Beach House, a luxury boutique all-inclusive resort with Barbadian charm, and South Beach Hotel, a retro-inspired all-suite property just steps away from Rockley Beach.

20th Annual Walter Rodney Symposium set for Atlanta

The 20th Annual Walter Rodney Symposium will take place on Friday, March 24, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, located at 830 Westview Drive in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The symposium is held in honor of the late acclaimed Guyanese historian, political activist and academic, Dr. Walter Rodney.

The renowned Angela Y. Davis is this year’s keynote speaker. Other presenters include scholars such as Horace Campbell, Verene Shepherd, and Attorney Donald Rodney, brother of Dr. Rodney. 

The event will also feature performances by several artists, including Akua Taylor, Ras Miguel Steppa Williams, Jahbri Black, Sister Omelika, and Giwayen Mata’s Tambra Omiyale. 

In-person attendees will be able to view the U.S. premiere of the documentary film “Walter Rodney: What They Don’t Want You To Know”, produced by Arlen Harris and Daniyal Harris-Vajda. 

The trailer for the film can be viewed at www.walterrodneyfoundation.org/annual-symposium.

The Walter Rodney Symposium provides an opportunity to learn about the life and work of this important figure in Guyanese, Caribbean, and African history.

Registration for the is available at: bit.ly/wrs2023.

Digital Digest

Shortcuts for Power users – Mac Edition

Since Mac has the reputation for being a more user-friendly operating system, we’re sharing useful keyboard shortcuts beyond the basics.

• Create a new document or window: Command + N
• Open a file: Command + O
• Open the app’s options: Command + , (comma)
• Switch between open apps: Command + Tab
• Hide the current app: Command + H
• Quit the current app: Command + Q
• Close the current window: Command + W
• Open Spotlight: Command + Space
• Create a new folder in Finder: Command + Shift + N
• Take screenshots: Command + Shift + 3/4
• Show information about the selected item: Command + I
• Minimize the current window: Command + M
• Zoom out: Command + –
• Zoom in: Command + +
• Force quit the current app immediately without confirmation: Option + Command + Esc

For our Windows users, would you like us to add to last week’s list?

Medical Moment

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, set for March 24, focuses on raising public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB, and advancing efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

Every year close to 4,400 people lose their lives to TB, and almost 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease. Since 2000, global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 74 million lives. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed years of progress.

World TB Day 2023 aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organizationrecommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.

MPE Caribbean Report

In this week’s MPE Caribbean Report, a top tourism official in the Bahamas is excited about the celebration of the nation’s golden anniversary of independence.