Hon Susan Rodrigues

Ministerial Session: Competing for Tomorrow— Ministerial Priorities for a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Caribbean

Atlantic Conference Center

This high-level ministerial session will examine the policy priorities required to keep Caribbean tourism competitive in a rapidly changing global environment.

Ministers will discuss how destinations are balancing growth with sustainability and inclusion while responding to issues such as investment, connectivity, climate resilience, digital transformation, workforce development, community participation and changing visitor expectations. The session will provide a forward-looking exchange on where policy attention and regional cooperation are most needed to build a smarter, more resilient and more inclusive Caribbean tourism economy.

Coffee Break & Networking

Roundabout Outside Lobby

Coffee Break & Networking | B2B | Local Vendor Market | CTO Services Presentation

Hon. Sarah Browne-Shadeek

Panel: Rooted in Place — Indigenous Tourism & the Future of Regenerative Caribbean Destinations

Atlantic Conference Center

This panel will explore how Indigenous tourism can contribute to regenerative destination development while protecting culture, strengthening community ownership and creating meaningful local benefit.

The discussion will consider community-led product development, cultural heritage and storytelling, the role of destination organizations in supporting Indigenous tourism, and how tourism can be developed in ways that respect identity, land, traditions and local priorities. Bringing together destination, product-development and community perspectives, the session will focus on approaches that move beyond sustainability toward tourism that actively strengthens places, people and cultural continuity.

Tenisha Brown

Panel: From Roots to Revenue: Food, Culture and the Creative Economy in Caribbean Tourism

Atlantic Conference Center

This panel will examine how Caribbean destinations can translate the region’s food, culture and creativity into stronger tourism value chains and more inclusive economic opportunities. The discussion will connect destination branding and visitor experience with agriculture, local sourcing, culinary tourism, festivals, cultural expression, entrepreneurship and the creative industries.

Panelists will consider how destinations can retain more tourism value locally, strengthen linkages between tourism and producers, support authentic cultural experiences, and create pathways for small businesses and communities to participate more meaningfully in the visitor economy.