Caribbean Tourism Organization and Royal Caribbean Collaborate at Caribbean Weekend in Miami to Drive Growth, Sustainability, and Stronger Community Involvement

Published on December 24, 2024

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) joined forces with Royal Caribbean for Caribbean Weekend in Miami this month, uniting tourism ministers, directors, and key industry stakeholders to explore opportunities for economic growth, sustainable practices, and stronger community involvement.

Held aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the event titled “Envisioning Caribbean Tourism: An Iconic Summit” featured an engaging conversation led by Bevan Springer, President of Marketplace Excellence, with Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean.

The summit offered a platform for insightful discussions on the cruise industry’s impact on creating jobs and fostering new opportunities in the Caribbean region.

“The Caribbean is the soul of Royal Caribbean. About 60 percent of all our business is the Caribbean,” stated Bayley, noting that everything the cruise line does – from the colors and designs of its vessels to the warm, friendly culture of the company —reflects the company’s connection to and association with the region.

Bayley underscored Royal Caribbean’s deep-rooted dedication to supporting the success of every participant in the Caribbean’s cruise tourism sector. He emphasized the creation of local job opportunities and shared the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its local sourcing initiatives across the region.

He noted, however, that enhancing supply chain systems remains essential for sustaining and expanding these efforts. “It does require a lot of cooperation from the Ministry of Agriculture to work with the cruise lines to try and figure out how to create cooperatives to aggregate product so that we can purchase it … It takes time, commitment and focus, but we’re very open to that,” Bayley indicated.

The company executive also discussed the opportunity for Caribbean governments to establish frameworks akin to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, potentially opening doors for more Caribbean nationals to join the cruise industry. Bayley highlighted the success of the American Caribbean Maritime Foundation’s cadet program, sharing the inspiring story of a Bahamian second officer who navigated Icon of the Seas into Nassau during its inaugural season.

Sustainability was another key topic, with Bayley detailing Royal Caribbean’s ongoing investments in waste reduction and its adoption of innovative energy solutions, including biofuels and LNG.

Ian Gooding-Edghill, Chairman of the CTO and Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, highlighted the essential importance of working closely with the cruise industry. . He remarked that as the CTO envisions the future of Caribbean tourism, the summit exemplifies its dedication to fostering partnerships that will benefit both regional economies and communities.

Minister Gooding-Edghill recognized Royal Caribbean’s role in providing economic opportunities across the region. “It is a wonderful story … it says something about your leadership, it says something about your company,” he said, thanking Royal Caribbean for its longstanding commitment to the Caribbean.

CTO Secretary-General & CEO Dona Regis-Prosper also expressed her gratitude to Royal Caribbean for its collaborative efforts: “This iconic summit underscores the power of partnerships and collaboration as we reimagine our approach to tourism development and deepen our engagement with the cruise industry.”

As Royal Caribbean gets ready to launch its upcoming Icon Class vessel, Star of the Sea, Bayley reassured attendees that the Caribbean will continue to be a key focus of the company’s operations. The CTO has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaborations with Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines, facilitating open dialogues between the cruise industry and Caribbean stakeholders, and seeking avenues for sustainable development and shared success.