ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia will be the venues for the second annual Cruise Connect conference that gets underway here on September 16.
The organizers said that the premier Eastern Caribbean cruise forum will serve as a vital platform to convene cruise line executives, government leaders, tourism officials, port operators, and industry stakeholders.
The forum will be held in Antigua on September 16 and St. Lucia on September 18.
The Antigua Cruise Port and St. Lucia Cruise Port are subsidiaries of Global Ports Holding (GPH) and they said Cruise Connect 2025 event will highlight infrastructure developments, strategic growth initiatives, sustainability priorities, and market insights for the 2025/2026 cruise season.
Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, & Investment Minister, Charles Fernandez, will deliver the keynote address at the forum following which the executives of Antigua Cruise Port will present a forecast of the year ahead and will share projections for cruise itineraries, highlighting key opportunities and areas of growth.
There will also be several panel discussions, including Future-Ready Destination: Realigning Antigua & Barbuda for Cruise Growth, Sailing in Sync: Partnerships Powering Cruise Success that will focus on regional positioning, the strategic vision of GPH, the cruise line outlook, public-private partnerships, and sustainable tourism development.
The program here will end with an overview of the key takeaways and collaborative opportunities, followed by a networking lunch.
General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port and Director of Operations and Product Development for GPH Eastern Caribbean, Gasper George, said Cruise Connect 2025 provides “a powerful opportunity to share our progress, align with industry partners, and reinforce Antigua’s role as a leading Caribbean cruise destination.
“Beyond strengthening partnerships, this forum allows us to showcase how our ongoing efforts in destination development and innovative product enhancement are elevating the visitor experience and positioning Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Lucia for sustainable growth in the global cruise industry,” George said.
A similar program will take place in St. Lucia on September 18, and will also include the Cruise Tourism Partner Expo, providing a platform for tour operators, shore excursion providers, and creative entrepreneurs to highlight their products and services in front of cruise executives, government leaders, media, and potential partners.
“Cruise Connect 2025 is more than a forum, it is a catalyst for progress across the region. By bringing together government leaders, cruise executives, and community partners, we are creating the space to chart a shared path forward,” said Lancelot Arnold, Regional Director of GPH Eastern Caribbean and General Manager, Saint Lucia Cruise Port,
“This year’s event will focus on innovation, sustainability, and building stronger synergies that ensure Antigua, Saint Lucia and the wider Eastern Caribbean remain competitive, compelling, and resilient destinations for the future of cruise tourism,” Arnold added.
