Black Meetings & Tourism - TOURISM TITANS AND CULTURAL ICONS HEADLINE CARIBBEAN WEEK IN NEW YORK 2025

Industry Briefs
TOURISM TITANS AND CULTURAL ICONS HEADLINE CARIBBEAN WEEK IN NEW YORK 2025
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has pulled out all the stops for Caribbean Week in New York (CWNY) 2025, bringing some of the biggest names in global and regional tourism, media and culture to the stage from June 1-6. Held under the timely theme *"Caribbean Resilience: Crafting Tomorrow's Tourism,"* this year's showcase promises unmatched star power and substance at North America's premier Caribbean tourism event. Coinciding with the celebration of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, this year's edition will feature some of the most influential voices in global and regional tourism and media, including: • Jennifer Bisram, Reporter and Anchor, CBS News New York • Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands • Cardigan Connor, newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Anguilla • Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Bermuda • Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line • Latia Duncombe, Director General, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation • Charles "Max" Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Antigua and Barbuda • Peter Greenberg, Emmy-winning CBS News Travel Editor • Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts and Nevis • Scott Mayerowitz, Former Executive Editor, The Points Guy • Marva Williams, CEO, Discover Dominica Authority The lineup also features prominent cultural figures such as Dominica's Bouyon star Asa Banton, Olympic gold medalist Thea LaFond, and other regional dignitaries: • Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados Minister of Tourism & International Transport, and Chairman of the CTO Ministerial Council • Andrea Franklin, CEO, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., and Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors • Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands, and Former Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors "Caribbean Week in New York continues to be our region's most powerful platform to showcase the people, ideas and partnerships that are shaping the future of tourism. This year's lineup speaks volumes about the Caribbean's influence - not only as a travel destination, but also as a cultural and economic force," said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of CTO. "From our rising stars to our seasoned leaders, CWNY 2025 will celebrate Caribbean resilience and vision at every level." The 2025 edition will spotlight the dynamism and diversity of the region through a series of high-impact events, including: • Sessions on artificial intelligence and hospitality innovation • The launch of the CTO Reimagine Plan • Media Marketplace and Caribbean Media Awards • Caribbean Women's Leadership Dinner and Awards • Forums on airline and cruise connectivity, featuring executives from American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Sunrise Airways, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Gondens International Advisors, and Nassau Cruise Port • Sessions on the Orange Economy and creative industries • An Allied Member session on emerging markets • The relaunch of CTO's Hospitality Assured Program Cultural Showcase Debuts in Times Square A major addition to the CWNY calendar is the Caribbean Cultural Showcase, an immersive celebration of Caribbean music, dance, cuisine and art. The event will take place on Thursday, June 5, from 4 PM to 8 PM at The Westin New York at Times Square, with music provided by The Legendary Supreme Team. Attendees will enjoy live performances, island-inspired culinary experiences, art displays, exclusive travel offers, and chances to win trips to Caribbean destinations. Tickets are available at: https://bit.ly/caribbeanculturalshowcasetickets . Showcasing Youth Innovation in Tourism Another highlight is the Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase 2025 - a dynamic competition spotlighting youth-led innovations for sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean. Under the theme "Innovative Tourism: Bridging Sectors for Sustainable Growth," student teams have explored opportunities in agri-edu tourism, medical cannabis, and dark tourism. This initiative is part of CTO's commitment to fostering innovation and empowering youth to shape a resilient, inclusive Caribbean tourism sector. It is made possible through the support of Caribbean Airlines Limited, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Lemoneight, Travel Unity, and New York City Tourism + Conventions. Sponsors CWNY 2025 is proudly supported by the following sponsors: • Platinum: Dominica, U.S. Virgin Islands • Gold: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bermuda, Global Ports Holding, Travel & Adventure Shows • Silver: Sandals Resorts International, St. Kitts • Bronze: Adara, A RateGain Company, Anguilla, Barbados, Tempo Networks For the remaining schedule and more information, visit www.caribbeanweek.com . About the Caribbean Tourism Organization The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean's tourism development agency, comprising membership of the region's finest countries and territories, including Dutch-, English- and French-speaking, as well as a range of private sector allied members. The CTO's vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm-weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean. Among the benefits to its members, the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution, and research & information technology. The CTO's headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026. Tel: +1 246 427-5242; Email: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com For more information about the Caribbean Tourism Organization, visit www.OneCaribbean.org and follow the CTO on Facebook , X , Instagram and LinkedIn to be part of the conversation.

Industry Briefs

TOURISM TITANS AND CULTURAL ICONS HEADLINE CARIBBEAN WEEK IN NEW YORK 2025

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has pulled out all the stops for Caribbean Week in New York (CWNY) 2025, bringing some of the biggest names in global and regional tourism, media and culture to the stage from June 1-6. Held under the timely theme "Caribbean Resilience: Crafting Tomorrow's Tourism," this year's showcase promises unmatched star power and substance at North America's premier Caribbean tourism event.

Coinciding with the celebration of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, this year's edition will feature some of the most influential voices in global and regional tourism and media, including:

• Jennifer Bisram, Reporter and Anchor, CBS News New York

• Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands

• Cardigan Connor, newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Anguilla

• Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism, Bermuda

• Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line

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

• Charles "Max" Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Antigua and Barbuda

• Peter Greenberg, Emmy-winning CBS News Travel Editor

• Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts and Nevis

• Scott Mayerowitz, Former Executive Editor, The Points Guy

• Marva Williams, CEO, Discover Dominica Authority

The lineup also features prominent cultural figures such as Dominica's Bouyon star Asa Banton, Olympic gold medalist Thea LaFond, and other regional dignitaries:

• Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados Minister of Tourism & International Transport, and Chairman of the CTO Ministerial Council

• Andrea Franklin, CEO, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., and Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors

• Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands, and Former Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors

"Caribbean Week in New York continues to be our region's most powerful platform to showcase the people, ideas and partnerships that are shaping the future of tourism. This year's lineup speaks volumes about the Caribbean's influence - not only as a travel destination, but also as a cultural and economic force," said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of CTO. "From our rising stars to our seasoned leaders, CWNY 2025 will celebrate Caribbean resilience and vision at every level."

The 2025 edition will spotlight the dynamism and diversity of the region through a series of high-impact events, including:

• Sessions on artificial intelligence and hospitality innovation

• The launch of the CTO Reimagine Plan

• Media Marketplace and Caribbean Media Awards

• Caribbean Women's Leadership Dinner and Awards

• Forums on airline and cruise connectivity, featuring executives from American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Sunrise Airways, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Gondens International Advisors, and Nassau Cruise Port

• Sessions on the Orange Economy and creative industries

• An Allied Member session on emerging markets

• The relaunch of CTO's Hospitality Assured Program

Cultural Showcase Debuts in Times Square

A major addition to the CWNY calendar is the Caribbean Cultural Showcase, an immersive celebration of Caribbean music, dance, cuisine and art. The event will take place on Thursday, June 5, from 4 PM to 8 PM at The Westin New York at Times Square, with music provided by The Legendary Supreme Team. Attendees will enjoy live performances, island-inspired culinary experiences, art displays, exclusive travel offers, and chances to win trips to Caribbean destinations.

Tickets are available at: https://bit.ly/caribbeanculturalshowcasetickets .

Showcasing Youth Innovation in Tourism

Another highlight is the Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase 2025 - a dynamic competition spotlighting youth-led innovations for sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean. Under the theme "Innovative Tourism: Bridging Sectors for Sustainable Growth," student teams have explored opportunities in agri-edu tourism, medical cannabis, and dark tourism.

This initiative is part of CTO's commitment to fostering innovation and empowering youth to shape a resilient, inclusive Caribbean tourism sector. It is made possible through the support of Caribbean Airlines Limited, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Lemoneight, Travel Unity, and New York City Tourism + Conventions.

Sponsors

CWNY 2025 is proudly supported by the following sponsors:

• Platinum: Dominica, U.S. Virgin Islands

• Gold: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bermuda, Global Ports Holding, Travel & Adventure Shows

• Silver: Sandals Resorts International, St. Kitts

• Bronze: Adara, A RateGain Company, Anguilla, Barbados, Tempo Networks

For the remaining schedule and more information, visit www.caribbeanweek.com .

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean's tourism development agency, comprising membership of the region's finest countries and territories, including Dutch-, English- and French-speaking, as well as a range of private sector allied members. The CTO's vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm-weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.

Among the benefits to its members, the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution, and research & information technology.

The CTO's headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026.

Tel: +1 246 427-5242; Email: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com

For more information about the Caribbean Tourism Organization, visit www.OneCaribbean.org and follow the CTO on Facebook , X , Instagram and LinkedIn to be part of the conversation.