Caribbean Tourism Leadership Honored at PATWA Awards

Caribbean tourism leadership received significant accolades at the 25th edition of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) World Tourism & Aviation Leaders’ Summit and the PATWA International Travel Awards, which took place during ITB Berlin last week. The region’s remarkable contributions to global tourism were acknowledged in various categories, with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and its Secretary-General, Dona Regis-Prosper, being honored with prestigious awards.

OneCaribbean.org – The official tourism business website of the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), is the region’s tourism development agency, with 25 Dutch, English and French country members and a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm weather destination. Its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.

The CTO was recognized as the Best Organization – Regional Tourism, highlighting its steadfast dedication to enhancing the Caribbean’s tourism industry through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Furthermore, Regis-Prosper was celebrated for Individual Excellence (Tourism Development), acknowledging her effective leadership and management of a revitalized organization within a span of less than two years.

“This honor is a reflection of the dedication and resilience of the entire Caribbean tourism industry, including our very capable leaders,” said Regis-Prosper. “The CTO will continue to champion initiatives that enhance our destinations, foster partnerships, and ensure the region remains a world-class tourism powerhouse,” she added, thanking the Cayman Islands and Barbados for their chairmanship of the organization during her tenure.

Caribbean Leaders and Destinations Take Center Stage

Several Caribbean ministers and destinations also received prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to tourism:

Exemplary Tourism Leadership

• Edmund Bartlett (Jamaica) – Tourism Minister of the Year – Innovation
• Marsha Henderson (St. Kitts & Nevis) – Woman Tourism Minister of the Year – Caribbean
• Oneidge Walrond (Guyana) – Tourism Minister of the Year – Ecological Tourism
• Carlos James (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) – Tourism Minister of the Year – Sustainable Tourism

Award-Winning Caribbean Destinations

• Jamaica – Destination of the Year for Romance
• Guyana – Destination of the Year for Natural Attractions
• Nassau & Paradise Island – Destination of the Year for Marine Tourism
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Destination of the Year for Eco-Adventures
• St. Kitts & Nevis – Destination of the Year for Hidden Treasures

The Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) in Jamaica was awarded the title of Best Venue for Meetings & Conferences, and Mureen James, the Executive Director of MBCC, received a Gold Award for Hospitality Operations. Furthermore, Joy Jibrilu, the CEO of the Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), was acknowledged with the Caribbean Destination Management Award.

The awards were conferred by PATWA Secretary-General Yatan Ahluwalia and Dr. Alain St. Ange, the former Minister of Tourism of Seychelles, underscoring the Caribbean’s ongoing impact on the global tourism sector.