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From our correspondent
Roseau, Dominica – November 13 2026 — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in collaboration with its UK and Europe Chapter, intensified efforts to attract increased tourism business from the United Kingdom and European markets following its participation in the 2026 World Travel Market (WTM) London, held from November 3–5. The event featured the largest CTO Caribbean Pavilion in approximately 20 years, bringing together seven national tourism organisations and seven commercial partners under a regional banner. An additional seven CTO member destinations maintained independent exhibition spaces, highlighting the region’s commitment to strengthening its international tourism presence and attracting more business from European travel markets.
The expanded pavilion featured Anguilla, Aruba, Grenada, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago, while the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica and Saint Lucia were represented through separate exhibition arrangements. CTO Director of Business Development for the UK and Europe Chapter, Florian Valmy-Devillers, said the organisation intended to convert the region’s collective presence into greater commercial influence, improved market access and measurable business growth. The chapter’s 2027 programme was expected to include destination roadshows, trade engagements, consumer marketing, media outreach and industry training, with particular attention to strengthening relationships with airlines, tour operators and travel distributors.
Beyond its exhibition activities, the CTO participated in high-level discussions on tourism development, climate resilience and destination competitiveness. Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer Dona Regis-Prosper contributed to a WTM Experience Hub session examining how destinations could prepare for increased visitor arrivals while managing pressure on infrastructure, natural resources and local communities. The organisation also participated in the WTM Ministers’ Summit, held in collaboration with UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council, which brought together 60 ministers to discuss international cooperation and the development of more resilient and regenerative tourism destinations. Additionally, a November 5 meeting of the CTO-ICF Tourism Visionaries Circle brought together approximately 30 Caribbean tourism ministers and senior industry representatives to examine changing European travel preferences, sustainability, authentic cultural experiences and the benefits of tourism for local communities. Discussions with Amadeus and Travelzoo also provided insights into emerging travel trends, which were expected to inform a forthcoming joint working paper with international consulting firm ICF.
Climate adaptation also featured prominently in the organisation’s London engagements, with CTO Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism Narendra Ramgulam participating in a November 4 discussion on preparing tourism destinations and businesses for climate-related disruptions. Ramgulam emphasised that the ability of Caribbean destinations to adapt to climate risks would increasingly influence their long-term competitiveness and sustainability. The wider programme supported the CTO’s Reimagine Plan 2025–2027, which prioritised sustainable and regenerative tourism, market competitiveness, tourism intelligence and human resource development. The organisation maintained that its collaboration with the UK and Europe Chapter provided a stronger regional platform for promoting Caribbean destinations while creating opportunities for individual countries to showcase their distinctive tourism offerings.
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