Wednesday, December 25, 2024
This month, the Caribbean Tourism Organization teamed up with Royal Caribbean for the Caribbean Weekend event in Miami, drawing together key regional tourism ministers, directors, and industry stakeholders to discuss avenues for economic growth, sustainability, and enhanced community engagement.
Held on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the event, titled “Envisioning Caribbean Tourism: An Iconic Summit,” featured an insightful conversation led by Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean. Bevan Springer, President of Marketplace Excellence, the CTO’s official public relations agency, moderated the session.
The summit served as a valuable platform for in-depth discussions on the cruise industry’s impact, particularly in generating employment and driving opportunities within the Caribbean region.
“The Caribbean is the soul of Royal Caribbean. About 60 percent of all our business is the Caribbean,” stated Bayley, noting that everything the cruise line does – from the colors and designs of its vessels to the warm, friendly culture of the company —reflects the company’s connection to and association with the region.
Bayley emphasized Royal Caribbean’s deep commitment to supporting the growth of all parties involved in the region’s cruise tourism industry. He pointed out the company’s focus on creating job opportunities while intensifying efforts to boost local sourcing across the Caribbean.
He noted, however, that enhancing supply chain systems remains essential for sustaining and expanding these efforts. “It does require a lot of cooperation from the Ministry of Agriculture to work with the cruise lines to try and figure out how to create cooperatives to aggregate product so that we can purchase it … It takes time, commitment and focus, but we’re very open to that,” Bayley indicated.
The company executive also highlighted the potential for Caribbean governments to create frameworks akin to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, which could facilitate greater participation of Caribbean nationals in the cruise industry workforce. Bayley commended the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation’s cadet program, sharing an inspiring story of a female Bahamian second officer who successfully navigated the Icon of the Seas into Nassau during its inaugural season.
Sustainability was another key topic, with Bayley emphasizing Royal Caribbean’s commitment to waste reduction initiatives and pioneering energy solutions, including biofuels and LNG.
Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO and Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, reflected on the importance of industry collaboration. He underscored that as the CTO reimagines the future of Caribbean tourism, the summit initiative illustrates its dedication to fostering successful partnerships that support both economies and communities.
Minister Gooding-Edghill recognized Royal Caribbean’s role in providing economic opportunities across the region. “It is a wonderful story … it says something about your leadership, it says something about your company,” he said, thanking Royal Caribbean for its longstanding commitment to the Caribbean.
CTO Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper also expressed her gratitude to Royal Caribbean for its collaborative efforts: “This iconic summit underscores the power of partnerships and collaboration as we reimagine our approach to tourism development and deepen our engagement with the cruise industry.”
As Royal Caribbean gears up to debut its upcoming Icon Class vessel, Star of the Sea, Bayley reassured attendees that the Caribbean will continue to be a key focus of its operations. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has reiterated its dedication to enhancing collaborations with Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines, fostering platforms for open communication between the cruise sector and Caribbean stakeholders, and exploring avenues for sustainable growth that benefits all parties involved.
In the front row (from left to right): Tashia Burris, Secretary of Tourism for Tobago; Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). In the second row (from left to right): Carlos James, Minister of Tourism for St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO Ministerial Council and Barbados’ Minister of Tourism; Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands; Luce Hodge Smith, Junior Minister of Tourism for the British Virgin Islands; Marsha Henderson, Tourism Minister for St. Kitts and Nevis; Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism for The Bahamas; and Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism for St. Maarten. In the back row (from left to right): Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism for Belize; Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism for Bermuda; Adrian Thomas, Minister of Tourism for Grenada; and Parliamentary Secretary Guibion Ferdinand of St. Lucia. They are accompanied by Henrik Loy, Captain of the Icon of the Seas.
Tags: caribbean tourism, event news, Miami, Miami event, royal caribbean, sustainability, Tourism industry, Tourism news, Travel News
Related Posts
Tags: caribbean tourism, event news, Miami, Miami event, royal caribbean, sustainability, Tourism industry, Tourism news, Travel News
I want to receive travel news and trade event update from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World’sPrivacy Notice.
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
