Caribbean pride was on full display last Thursday as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) joined American Airlines (AA) in celebrating Caribbean-American Heritage Month at the airline’s Dallas-Fort Worth headquarters.
CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper was a featured panellist at “Threads of Influence” — an initiative of AA’s Caribbean Employee Business Resource Group — where she appeared alongside AA executives Senior Vice Presidents Ralph Lopez Massas and Brian Znotins and Vice President José Freig. The event highlighted the growing influence of Caribbean culture, tourism and diaspora communities in the U.S., while reaffirming American Airlines’ deep-rooted connection to the region.
In her remarks, Regis-Prosper applauded the airline’s commitment to regional connectivity and sustainability, noting the vital role aviation plays in linking cultures, enabling economic growth, and supporting resilient tourism development. Representatives from a handful of CTO member countries also delivered sharp presentations that brought their destinations to life for the American Airlines audience.
Latoya Smith, District Manager for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation in Houston; Gale Malic-Ozaeta, Marketing and Communications Manager of the Belize Tourism Board; Ray Lee, Business Development Officer of the Jamaica Tourist Board; and Muriel Wiltord, Director of the Americas for the Martinique Tourism Authority, each offered compelling insights into their respective country’s tourism offerings, from natural wonders and cultural heritage to culinary diversity and sustainability initiatives.
The event served not only as a celebration of culture but also as a platform for fostering deeper public-private partnerships in the travel industry — a priority for the Caribbean as it looks ahead to continued growth in 2025 and beyond.
