Grenada (April 21, 2024) – Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in collaboration with Grenada Tourism Board, selects a dynamic lineup of industry leaders and development partners for Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2024) Did. The gathering aims to explore new strategies to strengthen sustainable tourism amidst evolving global challenges.
Scheduled from April 22 to 24, 2024, the event, themed “The Five Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnerships”, will draw on the Caribbean’s rich natural and cultural resources. Experts will gather to discuss the creation of innovative tourism experiences. We will then present strategies and best practice solutions to benefit from new opportunities and address the challenges of sustainable tourism.
Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International and a recognized leader in the sustainable tourism field, will deliver the keynote address on April 22nd. His remarks are expected to stimulate a series of productive discussions on building resilient and responsible tourism infrastructure in the region.
The conference will feature outstanding speakers who will share their expertise on sustainable tourism development in the following sessions:
General Session I – Planet: Protecting Paradise – Nurturing Nature for a Sustainable Future (April 22, 10:30am – 11:45am): This session will focus on the health of our planet and the health of all living things. Recognize the important link between happiness and well-being. Existence including humans. Participants will highlight the urgent need for conservation action and move beyond rhetoric to focus on concrete solutions and practical interventions. Speakers include:
- Christopher Corbyn, Coordinator, Cartagena Convention Secretariat, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
- Giselle Carr, InPlanet Head of Brand and Communications
- Maria Fowell, Senior Technical Specialist, Tourism, Economic Development Unit, Organization of the Eastern Caribbean Commission
- Rosana John, Dentons Delaney Attorney
- Michael Russek, artist, designer, fabricator and eco-creator
- Maxine Welsh (Moderator), Director, Eastern Caribbean Division, The Nature Conservancy
General Session II – People: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Leveraging Equity, Education, and Empowerment in Tourism (April 22, 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.): This session will focus on diversity, Explore the vital role of equity, inclusion, and diversity. Education in the tourism sector to empower individuals and promote sustainable development. The speakers are:
- Tony Brodover, UN Women Representative, Caribbean Multilateral Office
- Dr. Akola Lewis Cameron, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
- Amrita Bhalla, Managing Director, AB Consulting
- Melnesia Marshall, Deputy CEO, St. Kitts Tourism Board
- Christopher Lee, BIPOC Executive Search, Executive Recruiter and Consultant
- Richard Young (Moderator), Fashion Director and Creative Consultant, Richard Young Inc.
General Session III – Indigenous Excellence: Championing Harmony with Community, Country and Destination Grenada (April 22, 2:15pm – 3:30pm): Grenada celebrates 50 years of independence in 2024 This session will focus on the country's achievements in developing indigenous peoples. Excellence through public-private partnerships. The speakers are:
- Dr. Angus Friday, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Waite Institute and Chair of the Atlantis Biosphere Program Executive Committee
- Tiffany Geer, Marketing Manager, Event Coordinator, Dive Master, Aquanauts Grenada
- Dr. Guido Marcel, pharmacist, environmental activist, and practicing naturalist
- Phil Say, Director, Grenada Conservation Fund
- Petra Roach (Moderator), Chief Executive Officer, Grenada Tourism Board
Masterclass – Building Resilience Across the 5Ps: Strategies for Tourism Resilience and Competitiveness (April 22, 3:45pm – 4:45pm): This dynamic session explores the importance of environmental sustainability. and strategies to strengthen resilience within the Caribbean tourism sector. Integrated disaster management, climate change, and climate change. The speakers are:
- Dr. Deborah Brown, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency
- Barry Collymore, owner and chairman of Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort.Co-founder of West Indies School of Hospitality (WISH)
- Dr. Roche Mahon, Social Scientist, Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology
- Professor Lloyd G. Waller (Moderator), Professor of Digital Transformation Policy and Governance, University of the West Indies.Executive Director, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center
Market & Industry Insights Panel (April 23, 8:15am-9am): Primary source markets and key industries to provide insight into the latest policies, trends and developments shaping the tourism landscape. A panel convened of relevant experts. The speakers are:
- Carol Rose, Head of Sustainability, ABTA, Travel Association
- Hannah Swift, Caribbean Country Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.
- Dr. Allison T. Walker, Chief Surveillance Officer, Travelers Health Division, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Rich Pruitt, Vice President of Environmental Operations, Carnival Cruise Lines
- Kendra Hopkin Stewart, Deputy Managing Director, Blue Horizons Garden Resort, President, Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association
- Frank Comito (Moderator), Special Advisor and former CEO/DG, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association
Inter-Ministerial Dialogue on Cooperation and Sectoral Linkages (23 April, 9:00am-9:30am): This fireside chat will discuss contemporary challenges and solutions in sustainable development and disaster risk. It will feature seminal contributions from four ministers of the Government of Grenada. reduction. The speakers are:
- Senator Adrian Thomas, Grenada Minister of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture
- Lennox Andrews, Grenada Minister of Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture, Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources and Cooperatives
- Kerryn James, Grenada Minister of Climate Resilience, Environment and Renewable Energy
- Senator Jonathan La Crete, Minister of Youth and Sports of Grenada
- Bevan Springer (Moderator), President, Marketplace Excellence Corporation
General Session IV – Prosperity: Pathways to Prosperity for a Sustainable Future: Sustainable Tourism Funders Roundtable (April 23, 9:30am – 10:30am): This panel includes: , which brings together prominent representatives from major regional and international donor agencies. Development agencies and financial institutions that support sustainable development in the Caribbean. Speakers include:
- Dr. Louise Twining Ward, Senior Private Sector Specialist, World Bank
- Dr. Stacey Richards Kennedy, CAF – Caribbean Regional Manager, Latin American and Caribbean Development Bank
- Petitfa Ruiz, Director of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund Board and President of the Caribbean Network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CARICHAM).Executive Director and Secretary to the Board of Grenada Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Chris McNair, Business Development Program Specialist, CARICOM Development Fund
- Wayne Elliott, Productivity and Innovation Coordinator, Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility
- Amanda Charles (Moderator), Sustainable Tourism Specialist, Caribbean Tourism Association
General Session V – Purpose: Purpose-Driven Tourism: Combining Purpose and Passion for Sustainable Tourism (April 23, 11am – 12:15pm): This session will bring together industry leaders, stakeholders , where enthusiasts come together to explore the intersection of purpose and passion. With sustainable travel. The discussion will explore how travelers and tourism providers can align their values and aspirations with meaningful experiences that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Speakers include:
- Alicia Johnson, Author, Lonely Planet
- Dr. Thérèse Yard, Caribbean Fellow/Senior Director, Caribbean SIDS Programming, Conservation International
- Kirpa Grewal, Volunteer Committee Co-Chair, Cleantech and Sustainability Women on Boards Executive Committee Member
- Kitaka Mauto, Elevate Media CEO
- Russ Fielden, Owner, True Blue Bay Resort
- Michael Carabash (Moderator), DMC LLP Partner
General Session VI – Partnerships: Sustainability Synergies: Promoting Public-Private-Community Partnerships in Tourism (April 23, 12:15pm – 1:30pm): This session focuses on domestic sustainability focuses on the transformative power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing tourism industry. By fostering cooperation, we aim to chart a new path towards inclusive and responsible tourism development.
- Michael Akin, President, LINK Strategic Partners
- Mark Melville, CEO of Chukka Caribbean Adventures Group
- Trevor Jonas Benson, President and CEO of Bannikin
- Annie Bertrand, Public-Private Community Partnership Consultant, SIDS Global Business Network
- Glenn Manjuk, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance CEO
- Michelle Mason, Social Impact and Evaluation Manager, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
- Kennedy Pemberton (Moderator), Director of Operations, Green Case Consulting
Masterclass – Fu-Tech Tourism: Demystifying the Myths and Exploring the Risk, Benefits and New Opportunities (23 April, 2:45pm – 3:45pm): Through this Fu-Tech Tourism: Demystifying the Myths and Exploring the Risk, Benefits and New Opportunities ). An enlightening discussion. This session debunks myths and explores the risks, benefits, and new opportunities presented by emerging technologies, setting the stage for industry innovation. The speakers are:
- Ed Limon, Co-Founder and Producer, Winged Whale Media
- Kyle Maloney, Technology Ecosystem Builder. Digital marketer.Investor; Co-founder of Tech Beat Retreat
- Stacey Hines, Epic Transformation Founder and CEO
- Orlando Romain (Moderator), Advisor to the Grenada Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, ICT and Creative Economy
Convergence Point – Bridging Perspectives on the Future of Tourism (April 23, 4:00pm – 4:45pm): Closing session brings together diverse perspectives and dialogue to help shape the future of Caribbean tourism and designed to stimulate action. How stakeholders are working to address challenges, meet market demands, capitalize on new trends and promote responsible tourism, embracing his 5Ps of People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnerships. I will explore. The speakers are:
- Sherry V. Worrell, Founder of I AM CaribBeing and Little Caribbean NYC
- Rodney Payne, CEO, Destination Think
- Oneidge Walrond, Guyana Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
- Alia Laidlaw Ferdinand, Technical Director, Caribbean Natural Resources Research Institute (CANARI)
- Chrisma McDonald, Director of Sustainability, Six Senses La Sagesse
- Tenille Clarke (Moderator), Managing Director, Chambers Media Solutions
STC 2024 partners and sponsors include LINK Strategic Partners, Little Caribbean NYC, Royal Caribbean International, Silver Sands Grenada Beach Resort, and Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada Resort.
Partner airlines include InterCaribbean and Virgin Atlantic.
The Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards are sponsored by the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, the Grenada Investment and Development Corporation, the International Tourism Institute at GW School of Business, and the World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards.
Media partners registered for the conference are Breaking Travel News, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Media Corporation, and Wanderlust.
For more information about the conference, speakers, sessions and registration, please visit caribbeanstc.com. For more information about Grenada Tourism, visit puregrenada.com.
