Black Meetings & Tourism - HONORING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Industry Briefs
HONORING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Andia Ravariere CEO, Nevis Tourism Authority As CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, Andia Ravariere represents the next generation of Caribbean tourism leadership. Her work has focused on strengthening relationships with international travel advisors and media, sharpening the island’s sustainability and cultural identity positioning, and aligning marketing strategies with travelers seeking slower, experience-driven travel. By emphasizing collaboration across government agencies, hospitality partners, and local businesses, Ravariere has helped reinforce tourism as an interconnected ecosystem while expanding Nevis’ visibility within luxury, experiential, and values-driven travel conversations. Pamela Martin, Chairperson, Board of the Nevis Tourism Authority \| Nevis Film Commissioner Pamela Martin has played a pivotal role in expanding how Nevis appears on the global stage. Through her leadership in launching the Nevis Film Commission, Martin has positioned the island within the film, television, and creative production space—an increasingly strategic avenue for destination visibility. Her work reflects how tourism boards are thinking beyond traditional marketing channels, leveraging film and visual storytelling to shape traveler perception, cultural narrative, and long-term economic opportunity. Vanessa "VJ" James Founder of Vanessa James Media, Creator, Food, Wine & Fete Vanessa “VJ” James operates at the intersection of media, culture, and audience influence. Known for her nationally recognized voice-over work, James has built a brand centered on representation and Caribbean storytelling. Her signature event, Food, Wine, and Fête, has grown into a cultural touchpoint celebrating Caribbean identity through cuisine, music, and community. In a media landscape where personality and connection drive engagement, James exemplifies how women are shaping narratives, building platforms, and influencing how audiences experience travel and culture. Shir Ibgui Founder, Globe Thrivers Shir Ibgui represents the technological evolution of travel inspiration to point-of-sale. As a minority female founder in travel tech, Ibgui is building infrastructure designed around creators, advisors, and collaborative planning rather than traditional transactional funnels. Globe Thrivers reflects the reality of modern travel behavior, where discovery increasingly begins on social platforms and decisions are influenced by trusted voices and communities.

Industry Briefs

HONORING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Andia Ravariere

CEO, Nevis Tourism Authority

As CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, Andia Ravariere represents the next generation of Caribbean tourism leadership. Her work has focused on strengthening relationships with international travel advisors and media, sharpening the island’s sustainability and cultural identity positioning, and aligning marketing strategies with travelers seeking slower, experience-driven travel. By emphasizing collaboration across government agencies, hospitality partners, and local businesses, Ravariere has helped reinforce tourism as an interconnected ecosystem while expanding Nevis’ visibility within luxury, experiential, and values-driven travel conversations.

Pamela Martin, Chairperson, Board of the Nevis Tourism Authority | Nevis Film Commissioner

Pamela Martin has played a pivotal role in expanding how Nevis appears on the global stage. Through her leadership in launching the Nevis Film Commission, Martin has positioned the island within the film, television, and creative production space—an increasingly strategic avenue for destination visibility. Her work reflects how tourism boards are thinking beyond traditional marketing channels, leveraging film and visual storytelling to shape traveler perception, cultural narrative, and long-term economic opportunity.

Vanessa "VJ" James

Founder of Vanessa James Media, Creator, Food, Wine & Fete

Vanessa “VJ” James operates at the intersection of media, culture, and audience influence. Known for her nationally recognized voice-over work, James has built a brand centered on representation and Caribbean storytelling. Her signature event, Food, Wine, and Fête, has grown into a cultural touchpoint celebrating Caribbean identity through cuisine, music, and community. In a media landscape where personality and connection drive engagement, James exemplifies how women are shaping narratives, building platforms, and influencing how audiences experience travel and culture.

Shir Ibgui

Founder, Globe Thrivers

Shir Ibgui represents the technological evolution of travel inspiration to point-of-sale. As a minority female founder in travel tech, Ibgui is building infrastructure designed around creators, advisors, and collaborative planning rather than traditional transactional funnels. Globe Thrivers reflects the reality of modern travel behavior, where discovery increasingly begins on social platforms and decisions are influenced by trusted voices and communities.