CTO to Host Leadership Strategy Conference in Barbados

CTO to host Leadership Strategy Conference in Barbados

October the 8th-11th the island of Barbados will see the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) hosting an intensive high-level leadership strategy conference along with electing a new CTO chairman.

Ministers, commissioners, directors of tourism, senior officials of all tourism-related industries, including labor unions, airlines and airports authorities, hoteliers and other private sector partners are participating in this new style of conference sponsored by CTO.  “A conference of this caliber is a first in CTO’s history. Listening to the feedback from our partners and member nations at the CTO Council of Ministers Meeting in New York this past June underscored the importance of hosting an event of this magnitude; it is vital for the continuing evolution of our efforts to increase and improve tourism to the region”, said Sylma Brown-Bramble, director of marketing of CTO.

Expectation runs high as this conference kicks off with the keynote address by chief executive officer of British Airways, Willie Walsh, highlighting the future of intercontinental travel and the importance of partnerships between airlines and the destinations they serve.  
Other major presenters include Henry Harteveldt, principal analyst of Forrester Travel Research Group, and renowned branding expert Tom Buncle.

Via workshops, focus will be on finance, marketing, branding, distribution, immigration, security and sustainability.     
Scheduled weekend highlights include:
Sunday, October 10:
Keynote Address by British Airways CEO Willie Walsh, followed by a Q& A.
Destination Branding with Tom Buncle: A look at leading destination brands and how the Caribbean as a brand has evolved over the past 20 years.
Monday, October 11:
Henry Harteveldt, Principal Analyst, Forrester Travel Research Group: It’s All in the Numbers – Lessons To Be Learnt.

Fundraising Luncheon at the University of the West Indies: Willie Walsh will address regional business leaders, industry representatives, academics, university students and conference delegates.  All proceeds will benefit the CTO Foundation, which provides scholarships for Caribbean nationals pursuing tourism studies.

Panel Discussion moderated by TripAdvisor: The Changing Face of Travel Distribution with Claire Bentley, British Airways Holidays; Brand Communications Firm (BCF) on Marketing Innovations and Social Media/Networking.

Summing it up will be the CTO press conference hosted by newly elected Chairman, CTO Council of Ministers, and the Secretary General.