The meeting aims to explore new strategies to improve sustainable tourism amid evolving global challenges.
Scheduled for April 22-24, 2024 and focused on the theme The 5 Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership, the event brings together experts who will discuss creating innovative tourism experiences that take advantage of the region's rich natural and cultural resources. Caribbean. and presents best practice strategies and solutions to benefit from emerging opportunities and address the challenges of sustainable tourism.
Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International and recognized leader in sustainable tourism, will deliver the keynote address on April 22. It is hoped that his comments will inspire a series of productive debates on building a resilient and responsible tourism infrastructure in the region.
The conference will feature an impressive lineup of speakers who will share their expertise on sustainable tourism development during the following sessions:
GENERAL SESSION I – Planet: Preserving Paradise – Nurturing Nature for a Sustainable Future (April 22, 10:30 am - 11:45 am): This session recognizes the vital connections between the health of our planet and the well-being of all living beings. beings, including humans. Emphasizing the urgent need for conservation action, participants will engage in discussions that transcend rhetoric and focus on tangible solutions and practical interventions. Speakers include:
Christopher Corbin, Coordinator, Cartagena Convention Secretariat, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
Giselle Carr, Head of Brand and Communications, InPlanet
Maria Fowell, Senior Technical Specialist in Tourism, Economic Development Unit, Commission of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
Rosana John, Lawyer, Dentons Delany
Michael Russek, Artist, Designer, Maker and Eco-Creator
Maxine Welsh (Moderator), Director, The Nature Conservancy, Eastern Caribbean Division
GENERAL SESSION II – People: Breaking barriers, building bridges: Leveraging equity, education and empowerment in tourism (April 22, 11:45 am - 1:00 pm): The session will explore the fundamental role of diversity, equity, inclusion and education within the tourism sector to empower people and promote sustainable development. Speakers include:
Tonni Brodber, UN Women Cluster Office Representative, Caribbean
Dr. Acolla Lewis Cameron, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
Amrita Bhalla, CEO, AB Consulting
Melnecia Marshall, Deputy CEO , St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Christopher Lee , Executive Recruiter & Consultant, BIPOC Executive Search
Richard Young (Moderator), Fashion Director & Creative Consultant, Richard Young Inc.
GENERAL SESSION III – Indigenous Excellence: Defending Community, Country and Congruence with Destiny Granada (April 22, 2:15 pm - 3:30 pm): As Granada celebrates 50 years of independence in 2024, this session highlights the achievements of the nation in promoting indigenous peoples. Excellence through public and private partnerships. Speakers include:
Dr. Angus Friday, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Waitt Institute and Executive Chair of the Atlantean BioSphere Program
Tiffany Geer, Marketing Director, Events Coordinator and Dive Master, Aquanauts Grenada
Dr. Guido Marcelle, Pharmacognosist, Environmentalist and Practicing Natural Farmer
Sr Phil Saye, Director, Grenada Conservation Fund
Petra Roach (moderator), Executive Director, Grenada Tourism Authority
MASTER CLASS – Building Resilience through the 5Ps: Strategies for Tourism Resilience and Competitiveness (April 22, 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm) – This dynamic session will explore strategies to strengthen resilience within the tourism sector of the Caribbean, focusing on environmental sustainability. comprehensive disaster management, climate variability and climate change. Speakers include:
Dr. Deborah Brown, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
Barry Collymore, Owner and CEO of Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort; Co-Founder of the West Indies School of Hospitality (WISH)
Dr. Roché Mahon, Social Scientist, Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology
Prof. Lloyd G. Waller (Moderator), Professor of Digital Transformation Policy and Governance, University of the Indies Westerners; Executive Director, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center
Market and Industry Insights Panel (April 23, 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) – A panel bringing together experts from major source markets and key industry stakeholders to offer insights on the latest policies, trends and developments that shape the tourism landscape. Speakers include:
Carol Rose, Head of Sustainability, ABTA, The Travel Association
Hannah Swift, Country Director – Caribbean, Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.
Dr. Allison T. Walker, Surveillance Director, Travel Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Illnesses
Rich Pruitt , Vice President of Environmental Operations, Carnival Cruise Line
Kendra Hopkin Stewart , Assistant General Manager, Blue Horizons Garden Resort; President, Grenada Hotels and Tourism Association
Frank Comito (Moderator), Special Advisor and Former CEO/DG, Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association
Inter-Ministerial Dialogue on Cooperation and Inter-Sectoral Linkages (April 23, 9:00 am to 9:30 am) – This informal talk will feature energetic contributions from four Ministers of the Government of Grenada on modern challenges and solutions in sustainable development and risk of disasters. reduction. Speakers include:
Senator Adrian Thomas, Minister of Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture, Grenada
Lennox Andrews, Minister of Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources and Cooperatives, Grenada
Kerryne James, Minister of Climate Resilience, Environment and Renewable Energy, Grenada
Senator Jonathan La Crette, Minister of Youth and Sports, Grenada
Bevan Springer (moderator), President, Marketplace Excellence Corporation
GENERAL SESSION IV – Prosperity: Pathways to Prosperity for Sustainable Futures: Donor Roundtable for Sustainable Tourism Financing (April 23, 9:30 am - 10:30 am) – This panel features an illustrious gathering of representatives from major donor agencies, regional and international. development organizations and financial institutions that support the sustainable development of the Caribbean. Speakers include:
Dr. Louise Twining-Ward, Senior Private Sector Specialist, World Bank
Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy, Regional Manager for the Caribbean, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
Petipha Lewis, Director of the Fund Board Caribbean Biodiversity; President of the Network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM); Executive Director and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Grenada Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Chris McNair, Program Specialist, Business Development, CARICOM Development Fund
Wayne Elliott, Productivity and Innovation Coordinator, Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility
Amanda Charles (Moderator) , Sustainable Tourism Specialist, Caribbean Tourism Organization
GENERAL SESSION V – Purpose: Purpose-Driven Tourism: Uniting Purpose with Passion for Sustainable Tourism (April 23, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm) – This session brings together industry leaders, stakeholders and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of purpose and passion. on sustainable travel. Discussions will explore how travelers and tourism providers can align their values and aspirations with meaningful experiences that contribute to sustainable development goals. Speakers include:
Alicia Johnson , Author, Lonely Planet
Dr. Thérèse Yarde , Caribbean Fellow/Senior Director, Caribbean SIDS Programming, Conservation International
Kirpa Grewal , Volunteer Committee Co-Chair and Executive Committee Member, Women in CleanTech and Sustainability Board of Directors
Kitaka Mawuto, CEO, Elevate Media
Russ Fielden, Owner, True Blue Bay Resort
Michael Carabash (Moderator), Partner, DMC LLP
GENERAL SESSION VI – Partnership: Sustainability Synergy: Fostering Public, Private and Community Partnerships in Tourism (April 23, 12:15pm – 1:30pm) – This session focuses on the transformative power of partnerships. multiple stakeholders to promote sustainability within the tourism industry. Its objective is to chart new paths towards the development of inclusive and responsible tourism by promoting collaboration.
Michael Akin, President, LINK Strategic Partners
Marc Melville, CEO, Chukka Caribbean Adventures Group
Trevor Jonas Benson, President and CEO, Bannikin
Annie Bertrand, Public-Private-Community Partnership Consultant, SIDS Global Business Network
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO from Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Michelle Mason, Recognition and Social Impact Manager, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Kennedy Pemberton (Moderator), Director of Operations, Green Case Consulting
MASTER CLASS – Fu-Tech Tourism: Demystifying the myths and exploring the risks, benefits and new opportunities (April 23, 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm): Engaging with the future of technology (Fu-Tech) in the tourism through this enlightening discussion. The session will debunk myths and explore the risks, benefits and new opportunities presented by emerging technologies, laying the foundation for innovation in the industry. Speakers include:
Ed Limon, Co-Founder and Producer, Winged Whale Media
Kyle Maloney, Tech Ecosystem Creator; digital marketer; Investor; Co-Founder, Tech Beat Retreat
Stacey Hines, Founder and CEO, Epic Transformation
Orlando Romain (Moderator), Advisor, Grenada Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Head of ICT and Creative Economy
CONVERGENCE POINT – Uniting Perspectives for Future Tourism (April 23, 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm): The closing session is designed to bring together diverse perspectives and stimulate dialogue and action that will help shape the future of tourism in the Caribbean. Explore how stakeholders are working to address challenges, meet market demands, harness new trends and promote responsible tourism, while embracing the 5 Ps: people, planet, prosperity, purpose and partnership. Speakers include:
Shelley V. Worrell, Founder of I AM CaribBeing and Little Caribbean NYC
Rodney Payne, CEO of Destination Think
Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Trade, Guyana
Aria Laidlow-Ferdinand, Technical Officer, Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI )
Krisma McDonald, Chief Sustainability Officer, Six Senses La Sagesse
Tenille Clarke (moderator), CEO, Chambers Media Solutions
STC 2024 partners and sponsors include LINK Strategic Partners, Little Caribbean NYC, Royal Caribbean International, Silversands Grenada Beach Resort and Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada Resort.
Partner airlines include interCaribbean Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Sponsors of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards are the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, the Grenada Investment Development Corporation, the International Institute of Tourism Studies at the GW Business School and the World Travel and Hospitality Awards Sustainable.
Media partners registered for the conference are Breaking Travel News, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Media Corporation and Wanderlust.