MPE CARIBBEAN REPORT NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

September 13, 2023

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

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Lest we forget

Today we joined the worldwide community in reverently remembering all those who perished in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania in the terrible attacks of September 11, 2001. At the same time, we also mourn the loss of countless others killed by violent extremists in years past.

Sadly, attacks of violence often beget more destruction and suffering as retaliation is pursued. In the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose own life was shortened by senseless violence: “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.”

Let us rise to the challenge President Barack Obama issued during an address in 2011: “Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11.”

New CTO SG takes fresh guard

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) warmly welcomed its new Secretary-General and CEO, Dona Regis-Prosper (left). She makes history as the first woman to lead the inter-regional organization.

Regis-Prosper’s tenure began on September 1.

During last week’s press conference in George Town, Cayman Islands, Regis-Prosper was joined by Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands (center), and Rosa Harris, CTO Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director of Tourism in the Cayman Islands (right).

Together they shared updates on regional tourism.

Registration is open for SOTIC in Provo

Registration is open for CTO’s 2023 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) at The Shore Club in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, October 11-12.

The theme is “Invest. Innovate. Inspire. – A new model for Caribbean tourism growth”.

Day 1 delves into “Tourism Investment and Financing in the Caribbean” while Day 2 will focus on “Exploring the Drivers for Caribbean Tourism Growth”.

Delegates are encouraged to take advantage of the 20 percent Early Bird Discount by September 22 to lock in their spot.

To register, visit https://sotic.onecaribbean.org/register.

Quotable Caribbean

(l-r) Peter Odle, Chairman of Barbados Port Inc; David Jean-Marie, CEO of Barbados Port Inc; James Cabello, Executive Advisor for Four Seasons Yachts; Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport; Timothy Littley, Head of Strategic Planning for Four Seasons Yachts; and Shelly Williams, Chair of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. at Seatrade Europe

“We are happy to say that we continue to have solid relationships with the U.K. cruise lines. The fact that we are able to maintain strong homeporting business with our major partners, including P&O, Mein Schiff and TUI, is testament to the strength of the Barbados brand in this region. In addition, the Bridgetown Port (maintains) calls from the small boutique vessels such as Star Clipper and Sea Cloud.” – Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados

Digital Digest

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are among the most frequently used phrases in business today. In simple terms, machine learning entails a machine or system using processes and algorithms to learn a solution to a problem, while AI mimics human intelligence to do the same. It’s more complex than this explanation but adopting some of these technologies today will give your business the early-mover advantage with years of benefits. Here are some advantages:

Data-driven Insights: Unleash AI and ML on vast and complex datasets to organize and extract valuable business and marketing insights. Every business collects a huge amount of data and using AI and ML can help businesses use that data to make better decisions.
Customer Engagement: Use Chatbots and email solutions to provide round-the-clock, personalized assistance to your customers through your communications mediums. AI uses predictive analytics and ML uses consumer data to provide better support to your customers.
Efficiency and Automation: Implement AI and ML on the admin and organizational level to reduce time spent on repetitive, laborious tasks to improve overall organization productivity and reduce errors.
Competitive Advantage: The biggest advantage that AI and ML can provide for your business or brand is moving you ahead of the competition. The earlier your business moves to AI and ML practices, the stronger your systems and data points are going to be.

There are countless other benefits like scalability, decision making and cost reduction, but these systems are dependent on the data provided and time spent on them to make them efficient. Connect with us if you would like to know more about how to implement AI and ML in your organization.

Medical Moment

World Heart Day 2023

Cardiovascular disease is the world’s number one killer. Combined conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels – such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure – kill more than 20.5 million people every year. The majority of these deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries.

World Heart Day is a global campaign celebrated annually on September 29, when individuals, families, communities and governments worldwide participate in activities to take charge of their heart health and that of others. It is a reminder to take care of our hearts. This year’s campaign focuses on the essential step of knowing our hearts first.

We can better manage our heart health and beat cardiovascular disease by making small changes to our lifestyle – what we eat and drink, how much we exercise, and how we manage stress.