CTO visits Bermuda

Pictured in Bermuda (L-R): Wayne Caines, Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) Chairman; Tracy Berkeley, CEO of the BTA; CTO Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper; Senator Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport; and Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO Director of Resource Mobilization and Development. 

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) conducted a high-level mission to Bermuda last weekend, strengthening its engagement with the island, the CTO’s newest member.

Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper, along with Sharon Banfield-Bovell, Director of Resource Mobilization and Development, attended a session of the Bermuda House of Assembly during the official three-day visit. They also paid courtesy visits to Premier David Burt, and Senator Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as well as other key officials.

The CTO reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger ties with Bermuda and all its member destinations, supporting efforts to enhance regional collaboration within the Caribbean.

Highlighting Bermuda’s potential in sports tourism, the CTO team attended the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course, a PGA Tour event that injected millions into the local economy. 

Guyana in the spotlight at World Travel Market

Kamrul Baksh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority

To view video click HERE

The Guyana Tourism Authority shone brightly at World Travel Market in London earlier this month with its largest-ever booth and an impressive contingent of partners showcasing the best of this nature-rich, adventure-driven destination. 

In this video, Kamrul Baksh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, shares insights into Guyana’s remarkable growth in tourism infrastructure, connectivity, and experiences. 

Guyana’s value proposition for travelers is clear: stunning biodiversity, immersive cultural experiences, and a unique culinary scene.

USVI celebrates Caribbean Tourism Month

Rosie Farrington, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands

To view video click HERE

his Caribbean Tourism Month, under the theme “ONE CARIBBEAN: Building a Resilient Future”, the Caribbean Tourism Organization continues to celebrate the culture, achievements, and natural beauty of the region. 

Today, we spotlight the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), where tourism thrives “Naturally in Rhythm”, exemplifying the spirit of Caribbean excellence.

Rosie Farrington, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism, shares the milestones and initiatives driving tourism success in the Territory.

Meet CMEx 2024 honorees

Communications specialist Laura Dowrich-Phillips (left) and Director General of Tourism in The Bahamas, Latia Duncombe

Today we spotlight two distinguished individuals who will be honored at the 2024 Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards and Fundraiser, happening on December 8, 2024, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Miami.

Laura Dowrich-Phillips – Caribbean journalist and Public Relations Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos

For close to 30 years, Laura Dowrich-Phillips was a dedicated and passionate journalist making her name in the coverage of arts, culture, entertainment, tourism and lifestyle topics, and events across the Caribbean. From her media debut as a freelancer with the Trinidad Guardian newspaper to Culture and Lifestyle Manager at Loop News, she steadily built her career, covering events as far as the Mediterranean and absorbing knowledge first-hand from the likes of the late Richard Stolley, founding Editor of People Magazine as a participant in Stanford University’s Midlevel Professional Publisher’s Program.  

A 2019 Gabo Fellow in Cultural Journalism, Dowrich-Phillips has been the founding editor of several newspaper publications, including Metro Magazine, which provided a platform to elevate artists in the Caribbean and the diaspora. Fearless in pursuing her passion to contribute to Caribbean development, she switched careers in 2023, delving deeply into tourism, the lifeblood of the Caribbean, as the PR manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, where she marries her journalism skills with that of public relations to promote one of the region’s leading premium destinations. She enjoys mentoring and inspiring young people and believes in showing by example that it is never too late to reach for the stars.

Latia Duncombe – Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation

Latia Duncombe is a visionary and passionate leader, whose transformative approach has strengthened The Bahamas’ global tourism position. Duncombe helped The Bahamas reach the historic achievement of a record-breaking 9.65 million visitor arrivals in 2023. Her leadership has consistently set new standards of excellence in the industry.

Duncombe is the seventh Director General and third female to hold this senior position. She leads a global team of 400 employees, executing strategic global initiatives which were pivotal to The Bahamas’ post-pandemic tourism recovery. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to innovation and the long-term growth and development of the 16 unique island destinations within The Bahamas.

A strong advocate for sustainable growth, Duncombe champions and continues to oversee initiatives focused on environmental responsibility and sustainable growth within the tourism sector.

Her current contributions extend to international organizations such as the Caribbean Tourism Organization, where she served as Vice Chair for two years; UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); the Organization of American States (OAS); among others.

Duncombe holds an MBA with Merit from the University of Liverpool. Outside her professional endeavors, she is a loving wife and the proud mother of two sons – Tre’ and Zion.

The 2024 CMEx Leadership Awards is powered by The Islands of The Bahamas (Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation).

The event is also being supported by:

• Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
• Blue Horizons Garden Resort, Grenada
• Brion City Hotel, BW Signature Collection, Curaçao
• Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
• Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, St. Lucia
• Carnival Corporation & plc
• Coco Palm Resort, St. Lucia
• Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Bahamas
• Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort, Dominica
• Gallows Point Resort, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
• Golden Rock Dive & Nature Resort, St. Eustatius
• Ladera Resort, St. Lucia
• Little Good Harbour & The Atlantis Historic Inn, Barbados
• Montpelier Plantation & Beach, Nevis
• Mount Cinnamon Hotel & Beach Club, Grenada
• Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, St. Kitts
• Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados, Barbados
• Rodman Marketing Guru
• The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
• The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites, Jamaica
• The Hamilton Beach Villas & Spa, Nevis
• The Hartling Group, Turks and Caicos
• The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Jamaica
• The Palms Turks and Caicos, Turks and Caicos
• Ti Bananne West Indian Bistro & Bar
• Tropical Shipping
• Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort
• Marketplace Excellence Corporation
• Vanessa James Media

For tickets and information, visit https://bit.ly/cmexawards2024.

Digital Digest

Big Ideas, Big Discounts

As the holiday season approaches, Figment Design, a Miami-based full-service advertising agency, is rolling out a limited-time Black Friday offer that’s sure to grab attention. 

Catering to tourism professionals and businesses, the promotion includes up to $2,300 in savings on its web branding and digital audit services. 

The offer provides an excellent opportunity to upgrade your digital presence and cruise branding efforts at a fraction of the regular cost. 

Click here for details: https://figmentdesign.com/figment-black-friday-deal.

Quotable Caribbean

“We look forward to fostering constructive dialogue, clarifying the socioeconomic benefits of cruise tourism, and addressing any public concerns. My commitment is to ensure that Caymanians have a comprehensive, factual understanding of how the cruise industry supports our economy and enhances our community.” – Ellio Solomon, Executive Program Manager, The Association for Cruise Tourism (ACT) in the Cayman Islands

Medical Moment

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed on November 25, highlights violence against women as a significant public health issue and a violation of their human rights.

The most recent estimates published by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that approximately 30 percent of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner violence in their lifetime. During 2023, at least 51,100 women were murdered by partners or family members in acts of gender-based violence.

The Caribbean has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. According to UN Women data, 46 percent of women in the Caribbean have experienced at least one form of violence in their lifetime. 

The 2024 campaign, Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women, seeks to highlight the alarming rise in violence against women and renew commitments, demanding accountability and action from decision-makers.

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

Marketplace Excellence | 1812 Front Street, Suite 1814-3F | Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 US