The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is gearing up for a groundbreaking virtual forum on Friday, September 27, 2024, to commemorate World Tourism Day. The event, themed “Resilience and Renewal: Building a Peaceful Future,” aligns perfectly with the United Nations’ global focus on “Tourism and Peace.”
The CTO’s forum, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET/AT, will bring together a diverse group of industry leaders, academic experts, and regional and international partners. Their collective expertise will delve into the crucial role tourism plays in fostering peace, promoting understanding, and driving sustainable development across the Caribbean.
The forum will highlight how tourism can act as a powerful force for peace-building and crisis recovery, particularly in a region frequently impacted by natural disasters and global challenges. Participants will engage in critical discussions on strengthening resilience and enhancing crisis management strategies, essential for ensuring tourism’s positive influence on community well-being.
Keynote addresses will be delivered by renowned figures in the tourism and peace-building arena. Timothy Marshall, Chairman of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT), will set the stage with his insightful perspectives. Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO Secretary-General & CEO, Ian Gooding-Edghill, CTO Chairman, Sanovnik Destang, President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), and Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of UN Tourism, will also share their valuable insights.
The forum will feature a series of engaging sessions that dive deeper into specific aspects of tourism and its impact on peace and sustainability.
John Byles, Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, will lead a discussion on crisis communication and management. This session will include case studies on the impact of Hurricane Beryl and the subsequent recovery efforts by Faylene King, Director of Tourism for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Adrian Thomas, Minister of Tourism, Grenada.
Aljoscha Wothke from the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Tobago will shed light on the critical importance of gender equity and empowerment through regenerative tourism practices. Lori Ann Pollard will then delve into the impactful role of voluntourism in fostering peace and resilience.
The forum will also provide a platform for youth perspectives, with Keyana Warner, the 2024 Tropical Shipping Regional Tourism Youth Congress winner and Junior Minister of Tourism from Nevis, sharing her insights on empowering future generations through tourism.
