Premier Wheatley to Lead CTO Delegation
Premier Natalio Wheatley will lead a high-level Caribbean delegation to Caribbean Week in New York, hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) from June 1. The week-long event at the InterContinental New York Times Square will convene ministers, tourism leaders and industry executives to discuss marketing, airlift, sustainability and innovation under the theme "One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences."
Premier Natalio Wheatley will lead a high-level delegation of Caribbean leaders, ministers and tourism officials to Caribbean Week in New York, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) has announced. The industry gathering begins Monday, June 1, at the InterContinental New York Times Square and coincides with the start of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
The CTO said this year’s theme, "One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences," will frame a full programme of strategic meetings, workshops, networking opportunities and special events designed to promote collaboration and recovery across the region’s tourism sector. Regis-Prosper described Caribbean Week as "a critical platform for collaboration, strategy development and celebration of our region’s tourism industry." The statement says Governor Albert Bryan Jr. of the U.S.
Virgin Islands will deliver remarks at the opening ceremony. Premier Wheatley is scheduled to take part in a high-profile session titled "Around the Caribbean in 60 Minutes" alongside the CTO Council of Ministers. Minister Gooding-Edghill will deliver the opening keynote address. The programme will address core topics of interest to British Virgin Islands residents and operators, including tourism leadership, marketing strategies, airlift development, inclusive tourism, sustainability and next-generation tourism innovations.
Highlights of the week include an all-day marketing conference, the Caribbean Media Awards, the CTO Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon, the launch of CTO TV, a media and travel-trade marketplace, an allied members showcase breakfast, and the official launch of a new supply-side initiative for Caribbean tourism.
For the BVI, representation at Caribbean Week presents practical opportunities: promoting the Territory’s unique product to international buyers and media, advocating for improved air connections and increased seat capacity, securing partnerships with travel trade and carriers, and drawing attention to sustainable and inclusive tourism projects that benefit local communities.
The CTO Foundation awards also offer scholarship possibilities for young BVI students pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism. Premier Wheatley’s delegation underlines the BVI government’s commitment to supporting the recovery and long-term resilience of the Territory’s tourism sector.
Officials expect the week’s meetings and networking to yield new marketing channels, strategic alliances and initiatives that can help expand stayover tourism and strengthen the BVI brand in key source markets. According to a CTO press release reported by Virgin Islands News Online, the event will bring together ministers, commissioners, directors of tourism and senior industry executives from across the Caribbean for a full week of activity.
Primary source: VINO