Holiday & Travel

Preparations for the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s much-anticipated State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) are well underway, with the program set to take place at The Shore Club Turks & Caicos on Providenciales from October 9-13, 2023.

CTO’s business meetings and destination media briefings will precede the official conference program, which features panel discussions spanning diverse themes – from tourism investment and financing to aviation competitiveness and the burgeoning film industry. CTO’s popular Caribbean Youth Congress also makes its return this year.

Neil Walters, CTO’s Acting Secretary General, anticipates a plethora of meaningful discussions and industry networking to unfold in Turks and Caicos: “SOTIC has traditionally been the CTO’s flagship event held in the Caribbean, and with its return this year under the leadership of our newly appointed Secretary General Dona Regis-Prosper, we are confident the forum will set the stage for sharpening our industry’s collective vision to become even stronger and more effective in positioning the Caribbean as the world’s leading destination for leisure as well as business travel.”

Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands, shared her pride in hosting the return of SOTIC after a hiatus of five years, stating: “The selection of Turks and Caicos reflects our dedication to hospitality and excellence. As the first major event being held under our new destination marketing and management organization, SOTIC is a significant opportunity for us to collectively shape the narrative of our region’s growth in a post-COVID environment.”

“As Minister of Tourism and Vice Chair of the group of British Overseas countries and territories within the Caribbean Tourism Organization, your presence at SOTIC 2023 holds immense importance,” said Minister Connolly, as she extended a heartfelt invitation to delegates.

Minister Connolly looks forward to showcasing the captivating beauty of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Territory’s dedication to sustainable tourism development. She underscored the potent impact of coordinated action and regional collaboration that conveys a strong message of unity to stakeholders within and beyond the region’s borders.

With small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs) accounting for 80 percent of all tourism business, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says that sector is being positioned to meet the demands of today’s travellers.

In that regard, Minister Bartlett identified the need for three elements to aid the SMTE sector, including training to build capacity, funding for capital development and marketing support.

His remarks were directed at 55 graduates in the third cohort of trainees in the Central Jamaica Social Development Initiative (CJSDI) Youth Entrepreneurship Training Programme at their graduation ceremony on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Tropics View Hotel.

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, is now an autism-accessible hotel, ensuring inclusive options are now available. This important designation marks the property as the first CAC-certified hotel in Greater Palm Springs, California, as well as the first JW Marriott to gain certification.

Preparations for the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s much-anticipated State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) are well underway, with the program set to take place at The Shore Club Turks & Caicos on Providenciales from October 9-13, 2023.

CTO’s business meetings and destination media briefings will precede the official conference program, which features panel discussions spanning diverse themes – from tourism investment and financing to aviation competitiveness and the burgeoning film industry. CTO’s popular Caribbean Youth Congress also makes its return this year.

Record cruise executive attendance, increased economic benefits for Mazatlán and all of Mexico, and invaluable opportunities for attendees were discussed at a press conference last week in Mazatlán, Mexico ahead of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference & Trade Show, taking place November 7-10, 2023.

“This is the only event in the region that puts any attendee in direct contact with cruise executives that can drive business,” said Micky Arison, Chairman, Carnival Corporation & plc and FCCA.

Slovenia's peak tourist season is in full swing despite the floods last weekend, which hit certain destinations and impacted travel. Nevertheless, most of Slovenia remains fully functional, assuring a pleasant getaway. Destinations and tourism providers are doing their best to offer guests a safe and comfortable stay, and the best travel experience, which Slovenia is known for. 

The World Tourism Network will announce a new chapter in Nepal after Pankaj Pradhanang of Four Seasons Travel in Kathmandu, and Deepak Raj Joshi, former CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board met in Kathmandu to lay the groundwork for the new World Tourism Network Chapter in Nepal.

The announcement on social media said: ‘The WTN Nepal Chapter kick-off meeting took place today. @World Tourism Network stay tuned! Thanks, @Deepak Ra Joshi for all your input and energy!’ Pankaj Pradhanang, Kathmandu, Nepal

Karisma Hotels & Resorts is the first hotel group to offer an Autism Concierge, which encourages guests traveling with a child with autism or adult guests with autism to ask about specific needs through a concierge contact found within the resort’s visitor guide.

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Caribbean Tourism Researchers Network (CTRN)/International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA), aimed at strengthening tourism research in the region. 

The CTRN/ITSA is a network of tourism researchers under ITSA who are actively engaged in research on Caribbean tourism. Its primary aim is to enhance the tourism sector in the Caribbean through research.

Discover Dominica Authority, is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated Staycation 2023, offering an unparalleled opportunity for locals and returning nationals to indulge in the island's fascinating beauty, vibrant culture, and rejuvenating wellness.

Occurring from August to October this year, this exclusive campaign is set to ignite a fresh appreciation for the island's hidden gems. Dominica’s Staycation is a remarkable initiative inviting residents and returning nationals to explore, experience, and relish the wonders of the Nature Island during the Summer holidays and upcoming Independence season.

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), the Caribbean region’s tourism development agency, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Caribbean Tourism Researchers Network (CTRN)/International Tourism Studies Association (ITSA), aimed at strengthening tourism research in the region.

In the first 6 months of the Italian Capital of Culture 2023 year, Bergamo and Brescia welcomed over 4.8 million tourists from abroad (Spain, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland, India, and the United States), but also visitors from Lombardy and the rest of Italy. The increase, compared to the first half of 2022 is close to 50% (+48.8%), with overnight stays increasing by 50%.

The British Virgin Islands is abuzz with excitement as the highly anticipated Emancipation Festival draws near, commemorating the emancipation of slavery in the BVI. From 28th July to 11th August, an exciting and culturally rich celebration awaits, inviting locals and visitors to immerse themselves in a series of festivities.

At the 66th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa, Member States joined representatives from international organizations and the private sector to focus on opportunities around tourism jobs and investments while also recognizing the vital need to address challenges including the climate crisis.

Jamaica’s tourism Minister was just elected Chair of the Commission of the Amerikas at UNWTO, and the fresh wind blows in this part of the World Tourism Organisation and the busy travel and tourism industry in Jamaica loves it. Buoyed by the full recovery of Jamaica’s tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism is aggressively pushing to reengage this large source market in Latin America.

As the Sandals Foundation celebrates its 14th anniversary this year, the CHTA Education Foundation’s Grenada program, which was generously supported by the Sandals Foundation, delivered exuberance, joy, and call to action as it delivered Caribbean Supercharged Service Training in Grenada