By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 21, 2024 – As the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) today wraps up an impressive week of activities showcased during Caribbean Week 2024, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who is also Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, deserves sustained applause for the excellent leadership he is providing to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the government agency that generates the lion’s share of The Bahamas’ economy, as well as his other portfolios.
His leadership acumen was on full display in New York over the past several days as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) hosted Caribbean Week 2024, under the theme “Connecting the Globe, Celebrating Diversity.” The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation was the headline sponsor of Caribbean Week 2024, which provided opportunities for both participants and attendees to have robust and strategic dialogue on topics such as sustainable tourism, marketing strategies, and the role of technology in the industry.
Officially kicking off with a church service at Lenox Road Baptist Church in Brooklyn at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 16, the CTO noted on its Facebook page on Tuesday, June 18, that The Bahamas,” our headline sponsor of #CWNY2024, brought vibrant energy and Caribbean spirit to New York City yesterday with an incredible performance by the Chambers Junkanoo Group. Their colorful and melodic celebration set the stage for an unforgettable Caribbean Media Marketplace!”
Deputy Prime Minister Cooper was one of the featured speakers at the Minister’s Forum on Leveraging Artificial Intelligence on Tuesday. The discussion focused on AI’s impact on the travel and tourism sector and how customer experiences transform through AI, along with how AI increases operational efficiency and drives innovation.
Deputy Prime Minister Cooper discussed how The Bahamas is embracing AI to elevate our tourism experience. From personalized travel itineraries to streamlined services, the destination’s strategic use of AI is enhancing how we welcome and serve visitors.
Also participating in the AI forum were CTO Chairman Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism & Ports for The Cayman Islands; the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; and Mr. Lee Hall, founder of Clarity Media Agency. The discussion was hosted by Ms. Jennifer Bisram, a reporter.
Among those attending the forum were The Hon. Leroy F. Major, Bahamas Consul General to New York, along with Mrs, Latia Duncombe, Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; Mrs. Valery Brown-Alce, Deputy Director General of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; and Paul Strachan, Executive Director of Global Communications.
Here are some other highlights of Caribbean Week 2024:
CARIBBEAN AIRLIFT FORUM
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper participated in the Caribbean Airlift Forum on Tuesday. June 18. Moderated by Rosa Harris, CTO’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Commissioner Valérie Damaseau of Saint-Martin, the Forum set the stage for an engaging conversation around the challenges and opportunities related to air transportation to, from and within the Caribbean. Participants discussed route development, aviation competitiveness, partnerships, infrastructure investment, regulatory frameworks, and driving market demand.
In addition to Deputy Prime Minister Cooper, other distinguished panelists included José Freig, Vice President of International Operations, American Airlines; Dave Appleby, Director of Air Service Development Consulting ASM; Haydn Hughes, Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure, Anguilla; Philippe Bayard, CEO, Sunrise Airways; Jonathan Kaufman, Senior Director – Network Planning, Frontier Airlines; and Brian Mingo, CEO, Princess Juliana International Airport – St. Maarten.
DM COOPER ON PIX11’S LIFESTYLE SHOW
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper posted a collection of photos on Facebook on Wednesday, June 19, with the following narrative:
Excited to share that The Bahamas took center stage on PIX11’s lifestyle show, New York Living! We’re in town for Caribbean Tourism Week.
We had a fantastic time chatting with co-hosts Marysol Castro and Alex Lee, sharing the vibrant culture and beauty of our islands, and explaining why it’s truly Better in The Bahamas. The segment was even more special with a Bahamian Mixology lesson by MrMix Bahamas and an energetic Junkanoo showcase.
Thank you, New York Living, for showcasing the essence of The Bahamas!
BAHAMIAN TRAVEL MEDIA NIGHT
The Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation hosted a Bahamian travel media night during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Caribbean Week in New York City. Mixologist, MrMix Bahamas and Chef Kevyn Pratt showcased the flavors of The Bahamas with drink and food presentations, and no Bahamian celebration is complete without a Junkanoo display.
Deputy Prime Minister Cooper was joined by the Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security, the Hon. Leroy F. Major, Bahamas Consul General to New York; Mrs. Latia Duncombe, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; Mrs. Valerie Brown-Alce, Deputy Director General, and MOTIA executives.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AWARDS BREAKFAST
Mrs. Latia Duncombe, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, and Mrs. Valerie Brown-Alce, Deputy Director General, represented The Bahamas at the Women’s Leadership Awards Breakfast. The theme for the event was “Caribbean Queens: Saluting Women Shaping the Future of Caribbean Tourism.”
The Caribbean Tourism Organization said the inaugural Women’s Leadership Awards “was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the outstanding women who have significantly influenced the development and progress of Caribbean tourism
Oswald T. Brown is the Press Attaché at the Embassy of The Bahamas in Washington, D.C.
