The long-awaited 2023 Caribbean Week in New York, the first in three years, commenced in midtown Manhattan today.
Kicking off with the CTO Executive Committee meeting this afternoon, the week’s itinerary features an exciting array of events. Highlights include the tourism marketing conference on Wednesday and Thursday’s Media Marketplace, where esteemed tourism executives will engage with international media, showcasing the captivating charm and remarkable resurgence of the Caribbean.
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Sponsors of Caribbean Week in New York include ADARA, a RateGain company; Airbnb; Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation; Cayman Islands Department of Tourism; interCaribbean Airways; Internova Travel Group; Jamaica Tourist Board; MunaLuchi Bridal; Tobago Tourism Agency Limited; and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Event partners for 2023 include the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, MMGY, Strategic Partnership Advisors, Susan Black Associates LLC, and Trove Tourism Development Advisors.
Funds raised during Caribbean Week will go towards scholarships and grants for Caribbean students in the region and the diaspora.
What Attendees Can Expect
Celebrity Chefs Program
Taking place at various locations in New York throughout the week, Caribbean celebrity chefs will prepare authentic Caribbean dishes at highly visible, upscale locations whose customers match the profile of Caribbean vacationers.
Tourism Industry Workshop
Taking place from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, June 4 at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel, government and travel industry representatives will receive valuable insights on “Employing Successful Sales Strategies” to increase confidence and performance.
The Caribbean Diaspora Forum
Taking place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 4 at the Wyndham New Yorker, the Caribbean Diaspora Forum engages New York’s Caribbean-American community via an informative discussion between members of the Caribbean Diaspora, regional tourism officials and other industry and civic leaders.
Trade Show and Educational Forum for Travel Agents
Taking place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5 at Wyndham New Yorker, Caribbean Week New York’s “Trade Show and Educational Forum for Travel Agents” is designed to provide travel retail professionals with tools and information to keep the Caribbean’s diverse product at the forefront of the warm weather vacation industry with a focus on wellness and rejuvenation.
Caribbean Students Colloquium
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6 at the Wyndham New Yorker, the Caribbean Students Colloquium will see “Students Taking Centre Stage” in a program designed to serve as a catalyst for creativity while engaging future tourism leaders of the Caribbean.
CTO Press Conference
Members of the press will gather from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 7 at the Wyndham New Yorker to learn about the latest developments originating from the CTO Board of Directors meeting along with Caribbean tourism performance data and forecasts predicting future growth in the region.
Caribbean Media Marketplace
Set to take place for 9:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, June 7 at the Wyndham New Yorker, a broad section of television, radio, print and digital media will gather to network with top representatives from CTO-member governments and the private tourism sector, including high-level tourism officials and industry executives who will be on-hand to showcase their respective brands and influence the media narrative on the regional tourism industry.
Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards Dinner
Set to run from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 7 at the Wyndham New Yorker, an expanded awards program will feature a dinner presentation honoring journalists and influencers who have made an impact on Caribbean tourism.
With digital media radically altering the way information is shared on social platforms, this expanded event will recognize journalists who utilize innovative ways to communicate the allure of the Caribbean as well as destinations that develop successful campaigns to attract visitors to the region.
Rum & Rhythm Benefit
Taking place from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 8 at Capitale, the CTO Foundation will celebrate the diverse sights, sounds and flavors of the Caribbean at the seventh annual “Rum & Rhythm Benefit – the Ultimate Food and Rum Experience in New York City,” the signature flagship event of Caribbean Week New York open to the public with tickets on sale at the early bird rate of $80 until March 31.
Participants will enjoy authentic Caribbean entertainment as they sample the region’s cuisine in support of a scholarship program for Caribbean nationals pursuing studies in tourism, hospitality and language training.
