Caribbean Leaders to Converge in Miami for Strategy, Culture and Hurricane Relief

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is set to transform Miami into the hub of regional hospitality next month with its highly anticipated "Caribbean Weekend." Running from December 4-8, 2025, at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the four-day gathering promises to be more than a standard industry meetup; it is a critical mission to unite ministers, global executives, and creatives in support of a region recently tested by nature.

While the agenda is packed with high-level strategy sessions, the heart of this year's event is humanitarian. The CTO is rallying its network to support communities in Jamaica and Haiti that are currently recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

The charitable centerpiece of the weekend is the fundraising dinner scheduled for Friday, December 5. The CTO and its Allied Members have set an ambitious goal: raising US$100,000 for the CTO Foundation. These funds are earmarked for immediate disaster relief and the long-term restoration of tourism infrastructure in the affected areas. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, is slated to deliver the feature address, expected to focus on resilience in the face of climate challenges.

The fundraising gala will showcase the vibrant cultural pulse of the Caribbean. The entertainment lineup is headlined by Kevin Lyttle, the Vincentian soca icon and entrepreneur famous for his global hit “Turn Me On.” Lyttle, known for his own philanthropic work through the Janice Lyttle Foundation, will be joined by Shuga, the soulful Jamaican reggae artist preparing to drop her debut album Girl from Montego Bay.

Rounding out the performances will be U.S. Virgin Islands steel pan virtuoso Stan Brown. Guiding attendees through the evening as Master of Ceremonies will be Alex Jordan, the award-winning Barbadian media personality and veteran broadcaster known for her work with the BBC and at major sporting events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

Beyond the festivities, the weekend serves as a think-tank for the future of Caribbean travel. The roster of speakers includes heavyweights such as Ian Gooding-Edghill (Chairman of the CTO Ministerial Council), Dona Regis-Prosper (CTO Secretary-General and CEO), and Jeff Hoffman, the renowned global entrepreneur.

On Saturday, December 6, the conversation moves offshore. Attendees will board Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas for the signature summit, “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism Together.” This high-level forum will feature a one-on-one dialogue between Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, and Dona Regis-Prosper. The summit will dive deep into critical issues including sustainability, technology, and maintaining competitiveness in a crowded global market.

The business agenda also features an Airbnb Tax Symposium, a timely session designed to explore the complexities of the sharing economy, tax policy, and cooperation between government regulators and short-term rental platforms.

The weekend concludes on Sunday, December 7, with the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards, honoring the individuals driving sustainable development and media excellence across the region.

Throughout the event, the CTO Knowledge Exchange Kiosk will be open, offering attendees access to the latest intelligence products, digital transformation tools, and research essential for navigating the modern tourism landscape.