The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter offers travel, tourism, Caribbean and global news weekly. To share stories, information or intelligence, contact us at info@marketplaceexcellence.com.

March 31, 2025

Celebrating the women of MPE

From left to right: Darcel Choy, Jasmine Joy Rialubin, Maureen Beard, Heather Gibbs, Nadia Springer, Mariam Ali, Sofija Miteva, Dr. Karen Springer, Natalia Lopez, and Natasha St. Agathe

This Women’s History Month, we proudly celebrate the remarkable women of Marketplace Excellence (MPE) and Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) – dynamic Caribbean, American and international professionals who are shaping the tourism industry, making strides in other sectors, and driving meaningful impact around the world.

These experienced team members are storytellers and strategists, designers and data experts, educators and advocates – each bringing vision and passion to the work we do every day as a global public relations, communications, marketing and branding organization. Whether navigating sophisticated communications, designing compelling campaigns, or advancing regional development, the women of MPE and CMEx are a powerful force behind our mission to amplify Caribbean excellence and global influence.

This month and every month, we honor their character, creativity and commitment to making a difference.

Former St. Lucia PM to talk cruise tourism in Cayman

Allen M. Chastanet

The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT) in the Cayman Islandswill host a high-level discussion on the future of cruise tourism in Cayman and the Caribbean. The event will feature Allen M. Chastanet, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia.

The press conference will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the South Sound Community Center in George Town, Grand Cayman. Chastanet, currently Leader of the Opposition in Saint Lucia, brings decades of experience in both tourism and governance. 

With a distinguished career that includes serving as St. Lucia’s Minister for Tourism, Finance, Economic Growth and External Affairs, as well as Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Chastanet is uniquely positioned to offer insights on the role of cruise tourism in driving sustainable economic growth across the Caribbean. 

Ellio Solomon, Executive Program Manager at ACT, and Kenneth Bryan, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism & Ports in the Cayman Islands will also deliver remarks. 

Chastanet’s address will be followed by a Q&A session, offering media and local stakeholders a chance to engage directly on issues surrounding cruise development, regional collaboration, and tourism policy. The Cayman Islands general elections, in which a referendum on cruise berthing infrastructure will be decided, are set for April 30, 2025.

FCCA, BVI strengthen partnership

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has renewed its strategic development agreement with the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The tailored “Presidential Partner” agreement builds on the partnership originally formed in 2023 and aims to further capitalize on record years for both the destination and cruise industry.

According to the BREA Report, cruise tourism generated $85.7 million in direct expenditures and supported 1,666 jobs paying $18.3 million in wages during the 2023/2024 cruise year in the BVI.

The BVI and FCCA are also looking to further capitalize on the destination’s record tourist arrivals which surged to 1,092,139 in 2024, a 9.8% increase compared to 2023. This reflected growth across all visitor categories, with 768,293 cruise ship visitors, a 6.8% increase; 305,876 overnight visitors, a 16.7% increase; and 17,970 day trippers, a 35.1% increase.

Through the agreement, FCCA will continue guiding the BVI government in enhancing its tourism product and increasing cruise calls, while also facilitating new experiences for cruise lines and collaborating with the local private sector to maximize opportunities.

Spice Island Beach Resort honors top performers

L-R: Janelle Hopkin, President & Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, and Lady Betty Hopkin, Chairman of Spice Island Beach Resort, at this week’s ceremony

Spice Island Beach Resort – Grenada’s only locally owned AAA Five Diamond resort – hosted its annual Staff Awards Ceremony on March 25, 2025, celebrating the outstanding contributions of its team members over the past year. The evening was made even more special by the presence of Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, who joined President & Managing Director Janelle Hopkin in presenting the awards. Over 200 managers and employees gathered for the celebration at the resort’s fine dining restaurant, Oliver, where more than 40 awards were presented, including President’s Awards, Spice Awards, and various departmental honors. Curlyn Campbell, a Reservationist, was named Employee of the Year. Donnel Criss of the Maintenance Department was named Runner-Up Employee of the Year. Guest Service Champion Katrina Pysadee earned the title for the third consecutive year, with more than 130 guest commendations. Other major awardees included: ●     Shift Leader of the Year – Chef Marcus Worme, Kitchen ●     Supervisor of the Year – Darvina Matthew, Front Office Supervisor ●     Manager of the Year – Donnette McQueen, Front Office Manager In her remarks, Hopkin announced the resort’s 2025 theme, “Beyond the Best”, emphasizing a continued commitment to elevating luxury, hospitality and authentic Grenadian experiences. She praised the dedication of the team, whose efforts have earned the resort multiple international accolades, reaffirming Spice Island Beach Resort as the “Home of Grenadian Excellence”.  Award recipients were also treated to cash prizes, shopping vouchers and luxury travel experiences within and beyond the Caribbean.

Quotable Caribbean

“Our creative sector isn’t just about art – it’s a survival strategy that can be leveraged to drive resilient, eco-conscious and economic growth.” –Narendra Ramgulam, Sustainable Tourism Consultant, Caribbean Tourism Organization

Proverbially West Indian

“Every Mickle Mek a Muckle.”

This Jamaican proverb offers a timeless lesson on the power of small contributions. Deeply ingrained in the island’s culture of resilience, it posits that consistent effort, even in small increments, accumulates into something substantial and teaches us that progress is a journey of steady steps, not always giant strides. It inspires patience, encourages perseverance, and reminds us to value each small achievement as we work towards larger goals, whether those involve community development, financial planning, or personal aspirations.

Medical Moment

World Malaria Day takes place on April 25 and raises awareness about malaria and efforts to eliminate it.

Transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, malaria is preventable with insecticides and nets and treatable with artemisinin-based combination therapies. In 2023, an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths were recorded in 83 countries.

This year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”, highlights the need for continued investment, innovation and collaboration to eradicate the disease globally.

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