Caribbean Tourism Authority

Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence Launches 2026 Training Wave Season for FCCA Members NEW BRUNSWICK, Canada (April 27, 2026) — Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, the official training partner of Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), has launched the return of its Aquila Training Wave Season for 2026. Now in its third year, this dynamic training series is designed to help FCCA members strengthen their competitive edge and maximize opportunities in today’s evolving cruise industry. Offered free of charge, the 2026 series features three interactive, one-hour webinars built around the “triple bottom line” framework: People, Planet and Profit. Built from Aquila’s Living Lab — where real-world experience meets global training — the sessions are designed to reflect practical insights from across the cruise industry Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/aquila-center-…

Antigua and Barbuda Gears Up for Caribbean Travel Marketplace ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (April 27, 2026) — As the Caribbean prepares for a busy spring and summer tourism calendar, Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, says the destination is in advanced stages of readiness to host and capitalize on back-to-back editions of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace, May 12-15, at the American University of Antigua. Speaking with the Caribbean Tourism Authority, James emphasized the coordinated national effort behind the preparations, noting that public and private sector teams have been working closely to deliver a seamless and impactful experience. Planning spans all aspects of the event, from the structure of the business-to-business meetings to curated opening and closing events designed to showcase the destination. Beyond facilitating commercial exchanges between buyers and suppliers, the strategy includes immersing visiting media, tour operators and MICE planners in the Antigua and Barbuda experience to strengthen their ability to promote the destination globally. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/antigua-and-ba…

Blue Lagoon Island Launches All-Inclusive Wedding and Event Packages in the Heart of The Bahamas NASSAU (April 23, 2026) — As destination celebrations continue to reshape the global events landscape, Blue Lagoon Island has introduced a curated collection of all-inclusive wedding and special event packages designed to combine private island exclusivity with streamlined planning and accessible pricing. According to industry reports, destination weddings now account for nearly 20% of all U.S. nuptials with The Bahamas ranking among the top three Caribbean choices. Meanwhile, corporate event planners are reimagining gatherings in more intimate, nature-focused settings that foster connection and creativity. Located just minutes from Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island offers a breathtaking tropical setting paired with professional coordination, customizable catering and a variety of unique venues. From intimate beach ceremonies to large-scale celebrations, the island serves as a blank canvas for unforgettable events. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/blue-lagoon-is… Charmaine Moss- Albury

Alaia Belize Merges High-End Hospitality with Laid-Back Caribbean Living AMBERGRIS CAYE, Belize (April 23, 2026) — As Belize continues to gain prominence among global travelers, one property on Ambergris Caye is emerging as a standout example of how luxury and authenticity can successfully coexist in today’s evolving tourism landscape. Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection is drawing increased attention for redefining upscale hospitality through a distinctly Belizean lens — combining international brand standards with highly personalized service, local culture and nature-based experiences. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/alaia-belize-m…

Anguilla Revisited — A Quiet Powerhouse of Caribbean Tourism THE VALLEY, Anguilla (April 24, 2026) — It had been a minute since I last set foot in Anguilla. My previous visits were tied to the rhythm of its jazz experiences and the intellectual energy of its literary festival — both memorable in their own right. But this recent return offered something deeper: a chance to reconnect with a destination that has quietly and confidently elevated its tourism product while staying true to its soul. What struck me immediately is how well run this British Overseas Territory continues to be. There is a calm competence here — an ease of movement and a sense of order — that allows the visitor experience to unfold seamlessly. Beyond the infrastructure, however, it is the evolution of the product that stands out. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/anguilla-revis…

CTO Celebrates Media Excellence with Return of Caribbean Storytelling Awards NEW YORK (April 22, 2026) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has opened submissions for the 2026 Caribbean Media Awards, recognizing outstanding storytelling that captures the depth, diversity and evolving narrative of the Caribbean. The awards will be presented during Caribbean Week in New York, taking place June 1-5, 2026, and will honor exceptional work from journalists, broadcasters and content creators across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Open to media professionals, CTO member destinations and their public relations partners, the awards celebrate impactful coverage that informs, inspires and elevates the region on the global stage. “The stories coming out of the Caribbean continue to shape how the world sees and experiences our region,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO of CTO. “These awards recognize the journalists and creators who bring those stories to life with depth, perspective and authenticity.” Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/cto-celebrates…

Spice Island Beach Resort Redefines Corporate Gatherings ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (April 22, 2026) — With companies increasingly turning to restorative, distraction-free locations for strategic planning and executive alignment, Spice Island Beach Resort has completed a comprehensive upgrade of its meetings and events offerings, positioning the property as one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations for leadership retreats. To celebrate the launch of its enhanced meetings experience, the resort is extending a limited-time incentive for planners: groups that book by June 30 will receive 20% off their room rental fee using promo code: CONFERENCE20. The resort’s repositioning comes at a time when the region is seeing notable growth in corporate travel. According to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, bookings for executive retreats and group programs increased 21% from 2023 to 2024, driven in large part by companies seeking stronger cohesion and more intentional leadership off-sites. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/spice-island-b…

The countdown is on for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2026) with momentum building across the region as industry leaders prepare to gather in Belize. Under the theme “Tourism in Full Color,” the conference will bring together local, regional and global thought leaders and practitioners to explore the future of tourism through the lens of the Blue, Green, Orange and Beyond economies, reinforcing the Caribbean’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/countdown-to-s…

Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 delivered another strong showing for the cruise industry with leaders from across the sector gathering at the Miami Beach Convention Center to shape the future of cruise tourism. The Caribbean was front and center throughout the week with destinations, partners and stakeholders actively engaged in discussions focused on growth, sustainability and strengthening collaboration with cruise lines. FCCA (Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association) once again played a pivotal role by anchoring key conversations and facilitating meaningful connections between industry decision-makers and regional partners. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/seatrade-cruis…

The Caribbean Tourism Organization and its member destinations reinforced the region’s growing focus on Latin America last week at World Travel Market Latin America, advancing efforts to expand market share and deepen regional partnerships. Working alongside destinations including Grenada, Tobago, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica as well as allied member EM Worldwide Communications, the group engaged with travel advisors, tour operators and media to showcase the Caribbean’s diverse tourism offerings and strengthen commercial relationships in one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound markets. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/caribbean-stre… @ctotourism

Miracle Recovery: Health City Cayman Islands Saves Irish Vacationer’s Life in Dramatic Barbados ECMO Rescue GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (April 16, 2026) – What began as a mild respiratory infection during a family vacation in Barbados nearly turned fatal for 57-year-old Irish tourist Gail Dalton. Thanks to the rapid intervention of the specialized emergency team at Health City Cayman Islands and the hospital’s Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) capability, Dalton survived bronchitis and severe pneumonia linked to COVID-19, along with life-threatening complications affecting her brain, liver and kidneys, and critically low oxygen levels. Read more ⬇️ caribbeantourismauthority.com/miracle-recove…

Saint Lucia to Host First CTO Latin American Market Summit SAO PAULO, Brazil (April 16, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) announced that Saint Lucia will host the inaugural CTO Latin American Market Summit next year on May 5-6, 2027. The announcement was made this week at World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America in Brazil. The one-and-a-half-day summit is designed to deepen ties between Caribbean tourism stakeholders and the fast-growing Latin American travel market. It will convene Latin American airlines, tour operators, travel agents, media representatives and partner destinations to identify opportunities, build commercial partnerships and advance regional collaboration. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/saint-lucia-to…

Record 16 Cruise Presidents, CEOs Attend FCCA Foundation Dinner MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (April 16, 2026) — Top executives commanding more than 90% of global cruise capacity turned out in record numbers for the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner, transforming a sold-out evening at Papi Steak Miami into a high-level networking event and major fundraiser for Caribbean and Latin American communities. The invitation-only gathering, held during Seatrade Cruise Global, drew 16 presidents and executives at that level or above — underscoring the industry’s strong commitment to destination partnerships and youth-focused philanthropy. “I cannot be more honored and humbled by the record number of executives,” said Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA. “This clearly demonstrates their commitment not only to the Foundation’s mission and its impact on hundreds of thousands of lives, but also to FCCA’s initiatives that create specialized forums connecting cruise executives with destinations and stakeholders for the betterment of all.” Read more ⬇️ caribbeantourismauthority.com/record-16-crui…

Aruba Tourism Authority Honored with 2026 Aquila Whalesong Destination Award for Excellence in People Investment MIAMI (April 15, 2026) — Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence has awarded the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) the 2026 Whalesong Destination Award for Excellence in People Investment, presented at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami Beach this week. The award honors ATA’s exceptional leadership and long-standing commitment to sustainable, responsible and regenerative tourism through comprehensive capacity building across the island. For more than a decade, Aquila has worked alongside Aruba to support the destination’s evolution as a leader in cruise tourism excellence. Since 2016, this partnership has deepened through a coordinated, multi-year approach to strengthening collaboration across Aruba’s tourism ecosystem uniting port authorities, tour operators, retailers and public sector stakeholders around a shared vision for high-quality, people-centered experiences. Read more ⬇️ caribbeantourismauthority.com/aruba-tourism-…

A magnifique showcase of the Caribbean! 🇲🇶 Martinique’s presence on the trade show floor at Seatrade Cruise Global will capture the spirit, culture and distinct identity that define the Caribbean experience. As destinations from across the region come together at the Miami Beach Convention Center this week, the Caribbean continues to demonstrate its strength, diversity and global appeal. #OneCaribbean #STCGlobal #CaribbeanTourism

Expedia Group, one of the world’s largest travel platforms, has joined the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s Allied Membership. “As an Allied Member of CTO, we look forward to working alongside tourism leaders, destinations and industry partners to help amplify the Caribbean’s global appeal, share data-driven insights and connect even more travelers to unforgettable experiences throughout the region,” said Ana Paradela, Director of Business Development for Latin America, Mexico & the Caribbean for Expedia Group. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/expedia-group-…

The global cruise industry converges today for Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, which is widely recognized as the largest and most influential annual gathering of cruise lines, destinations, suppliers and decision-makers shaping the sector’s future. Held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, this year’s event comes at a pivotal moment as the industry builds on strong demand while navigating evolving traveler expectations, sustainability priorities and deeper collaboration with destination partners. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/seatrade-cruis…

Martinique Tourism Authority Strengthens Cruise Partnerships at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 MIAMI (April 10, 2026) — The Martinique Tourism Authority is set to reinforce its position as a premier Caribbean cruise destination through a strong presence at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, taking place April 13–16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Attendees are invited to visit the destination at Booth 1167, where Martinique will showcase its diverse cruise offerings alongside key public and private sector partners. Joining the Martinique Tourism Authority at the booth is a strong delegation representing the island’s cruise ecosystem, including Grand Port Maritime de la Martinique (headed by CEO Bruno MENCE), Antilles Shipping Service, CHAUTRAM, and tour operators such as Beyond the Beach, Cœur des Îles, and Roger Albert Voyages. Together, these stakeholders highlight the depth of expertise and collaboration driving Martinique’s continued growth as a cruise destination. With a strategic focus on itinerary development, destination experiences and long-term partnerships, Martinique’s delegation will engage in a full schedule of high-level meetings with key cruise executives and itinerary planners throughout the four-day conference. Read more ⬇️ caribbeantourismauthority.com/martinique-tou…

Robust Speaker Lineup Builds Excitement for STC 2026 in Belize SAN PEDRO, Belize (April 9, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has assembled more than 40 speakers for its 17th Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2026) at month-end, highlighting regenerative practices and community benefit tourism development. Anchored in the concept of “Tourism in Full Color,” the April 27-30 conference will explore how Caribbean destinations can move beyond siloed approaches by adopting integrated tourism development models. These models are based on the Blue Economy through responsible use of marine and coastal assets, the Green Economy by advancing low-carbon, climate-resilient and nature-positive solutions, the Orange Economy by unlocking the value of culture, heritage and creative industries, and the “beyond” economies such as the Purple Economy, which emphasizes social cohesion, identity, wellbeing and inclusive growth. Read more ⬇️ caribbeantourismauthority.com/robust-speaker…

ENT in Cayman Performs First Cochlear Implant in the Cayman Islands at Health City, Marking Historic Health Care Milestone GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (April 2, 2026) — ENT in Cayman Ltd., in collaboration with Health City Cayman Islands, has performed and activated the first cochlear implant in the Cayman Islands, marking a major advancement in specialized hearing care and eliminating the need for patients to travel overseas for this life-changing procedure. The milestone was achieved with the successful implantation and activation of the device on March 26, 2026, for 15-year-old Ryan Judister from Cayman Brac. This emotional moment marked the beginning of his journey to learn to hear, opening a new pathway to sound and communication following surgery. Read more here: caribbeantourismauthority.com/ent-in-cayman-…