Last Updated on June 8, 2026, 8:19 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, who also serves as the Chairman of the Caribbean Community witnessed the launch of the newest Tourism Supply Side Initiative. Dr Drew joined the launch event virtually from Basettere and extended his support to the initiative.
According to the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, the initiative is a defining moment in the future development of Caribbean tourism. He noted that the Caribbean brand is one of the strongest in the world.
However, the next chapter of Caribbean Tourism must be more than growth and shift focus to development, resilience and inclusion. The Prime Minister. Dr Terrance Drew highlighted that the tourism sector of the Caribbean region has to work for the benefit of the people of the Caribbean.
CTO Chairman and Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill announced the Tourism Supply Side Initiative.
The CTO chairman was accompanied by Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett. Minister Bartlett will chair the newly established Tourism Supply Side Ministerial Committee.
CTO Secretary-General Donna Regis-Prosper furthered the initiative as a part of her vision of strengthening regional economic participation. The officials have shared that the CTO is focussing on building local capacity and creating greater long-term value from the Caribbean’s tourism success.
The officials have shared that the Tourism Supply Side Initiative is one of the most important strategic developments in Caribbean tourism policy for a generation. For a very long time, the tourism strategy of the region has focused on the demand side of the equation.
The stakeholders have been working towards attracting visitors, expanding airlift, growing cruise arrivals and strengthening the region’s position. The officials have asserted that they have wanted to make sure that the region is one the world’s most desirable destinations.
Experts believe that the strategy has delivered extraordinary success for the region. The Caribbean region commands one of the most powerful destination brands in global tourism.
However, when the leaders gathered in New York to discuss the initiative, they believe that the future success of Caribbean tourism would be measured not only by visitor arrivals but by the economic value that those visitors can generate for the region.
The officials have shared that tourism remains the leading economic sector across much of the Caribbean. However, the proportion of visitor spending retained within local economies can differ significantly. In some destinations, as little as five per cent of tourism expenditure remains within the domestic economy. Others have achieved retention rates approaching 40 to 50 per cent.
The authorities have shared that they want to address the challenges through the Tourism Supply Side Initiative. The authorities seek to strengthen linkages between tourism and sectors including agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, logistics, professional services, technology, creative industries and local SMEs.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
