NEW YORK, New York - Caribbean Tourism Week began here on Monday with the region remaining optimistic of increased visitor arrivals against a backdrop of rapid geopolitical change and shifting international markets.
CTO chairman, Ian Gooding-Edghill, who is also the Barbados Minister of Tourism, addressing the opening ceremony of Caribbean Tourism Week in New York on Monday (CMC Photo)Organized by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the weeklong event coincides with the start of Caribbean American Heritage Month and is being held under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.”
CTO chairman, Ian Gooding-Edghill, who is also the Barbados Minister of Tourism, told the opening ceremony that he is encouraged by the continued performance of the region’s tourism sector.
He said last year, Caribbean tourism maintained its growth trajectory, recording a 2.5 percent increase over 2024, with approximately 900,000 additional visitors to the region and arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks.
Gooding-Edghill said cruise tourism also remains strong, with cruise visits increasing by 5.2 per cent and exceeding the 2019 levels by more than 16 per cent.
“These figures demonstrate the enduring strength of the Caribbean brand and the continued global demand for authentic Caribbean experiences. Looking ahead to 2026, for the remainder of 2026, CTO projections remain cautiously optimistic.
“We anticipate moderate but steady growth, supported by improved connectivity, stronger regional coordination, and continued demand for experience-driven travel. But while the outlook remains positive, we cannot afford complacency. Competitiveness must be continuously protected, strengthened, and modernised.”
He said that is why market diversification remains so important and that the Latin American market continues to show significant growth potential for the Caribbean, supported by geographic proximity, expanding air connectivity, and increasing interest in multi-destinational travel.
“This is no longer simply an emerging opportunity, it is an accelerating one. At the same time, we are beginning to deepen engagement with the African market through cultural partnerships, diaspora connections, and future opportunities for expanded airlift.”
Gooding-Edghill said that this represents an important long-term frontier for the Caribbean tourism development.
“Our regional agenda for the year ahead reflects the same spirit of expansion and cooperation. Later this year, Guyana, under the leadership of Minister Suzanne Rodriguez, will host the State of the Tourism Industry Conference, SOTIC, for the very first time. This will be a major milestone for Guyana, an important platform for regional policy discussion and strategic planning.
“We will then conclude the year in Miami with the Caribbean Weekend in partnership with Royal Caribbean International for the strengthened engagement with the industry and the important cruise sector.”
The CTO chairman said that he wanted to thank the Cruise, Yachting, and Ferry Committee of the CTO, chaired by Ms. Latita Damkam, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
He said this committee will play a critical role in strengthening regional cooperation, coordination, and expanding opportunities within this very important segment of the region’s tourism economy.
Gooding-Edghill said later this week, CTO will launch its CTO TV, a new digital platform aimed at telling the Caribbean’s story in a more modern, dynamic, and impactful way.
“This initiative forms part of the broader refresh of One Caribbean brand and reflects our commitment to ensuring the Caribbean’s voice remains visible, relevant, and globally competitive in an increasingly digital world.
“Because ultimately, if we do not tell our story effectively, others will define us for it and the Caribbean has far too much richness, talent, culture, and excellence not to own and project its narrative confidently to the world.”
Gooding-Edghill told the conference that sustainability and climate resilience must remain at the centre of the CTO’s agenda, but noted that beyond policies and conferences, it must continue investing in the region’s people, particularly youth, training, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership development.
“I’m taking the opportunity to invite you to support our Future Leaders Next Gen showcase, which takes place Thursday, June the 4th, because the future of the Caribbean will depend not only on infrastructure, but on the quality, creativity, and the resilience of our people, especially our young people.”
Gooding-Edghill said tourism remains the backbone of many Caribbean economies, generating jobs, investment, entrepreneurship, and opportunities.
“It connects our cultures to the world and allows the world to experience the richness of the Caribbean spirit. Yes, these are serious times, but this is also a serious region with serious talent, serious resilience, and serious ambition.
“And if we remain united, disciplined, and focused on the future, there is absolutely no limit to what the Caribbean can achieve together,” he said noting that in an era of ever-changing geopolitical events and rising costs, “with the associated threats to our industry, it is our responsibility as Ministers of Tourism and Travel Trade Partners to rise to the challenge to protect Caribbean tourism and reinforce the adage of turning adversity to advantage.
“While there are crises that we have faced in the past, we’ve overcome them, we’ve grown stronger, we’ve grown even more resilient within the Caribbean as a region, and with increased investments we’ve done so in the tourism sector.
“Each crisis makes us stronger and more resilient. It is our responsibility s Ministers of Tourism and Partners to continue to guide the Caribbean Tourism Organization and to ensure the millions of people who depend on us for sustained employment do so and do so with the confidence that our leaders in this room will help them and continue to lead them in that direction.
“Let us continue to move forward as one Caribbean in finite experiences,” the CTO chairman added.
Meanwhile, the CTO has announced that Henry H. Harteveldt, founder and president of Atmosphere Research Group, will deliver the keynote address at the Caribbean Marketing Conference on Wednesday.
It said that one of the travel industry’s most respected airline analysts, Harteveldt will explore “Turbulence & Opportunity: Airline Trends and What They Mean for the Caribbean,” examining United States and global airline trends, capacity planning, route strategies, premium leisure demand shifts, airline profitability pressures, and how Caribbean destinations can secure stronger air connectivity.
It said that Wednesday’s event under the theme “Unified Partnerships, Stronger Nations: Elevating Caribbean Brands in a Competitive World,” will focus on the critical themes of collaboration, innovation, stronger nation branding, diversified source markets, measurable marketing performance and public-private partnerships.
“As global competition intensifies and traveler behavior evolves, these areas are increasingly vital to Caribbean tourism success,” the CTO added.
