First Seatrade Caribbean Cruise Forum Closes Successfully

The first Seatrade Caribbean Cruise Forum came to a close last week at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Tobago, with almost 150 delegates from all around the Caribbean attending the conference, for a series of high-level discussions and debates.

Led by senior cruise line executives and key industry figures, the Forum focused on cruise tourism opportunities for the region, port infrastructure, potential for new itineraries and Shorex development.

The discussions addressed the importance of sustainability and eco-tourism, which provided an excellent opportunity for audience participation. One to one meetings were also on the agenda, as seven regional destinations were given the unique opportunity of exclusive meetings with leading European cruise lines.

Cruise line executives attending were provided with a tour of the host venue Tobago, gaining a deeper, more intimate knowledge of the region. For many of the executives, this provided a first-time look at the island. Michael Pawlus, director of strategic itinerary planning, Silversea, was impressed with the friendliness and diversity of the island.

Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine, deputy chief secretary Tobago House of Assembly and secretary Division of Tourism and Transportation is taking a lead role regionally in securing unity, cooperation, and collaboration to promote the benefits of Southern Caribbean cruising together with the Minister of Tourism of Barbados and other key regional leaders.

Despite competition from regions such as China, there was a distinct optimism throughout the entire Forum for the future development of cruising in the southern Caribbean; traditionally a region in the shadow of the more popular northern and western ports.

Hugh Riley, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, spoke of a time of challenge and opportunity for the Caribbean. Calling for better co-operation between the islands, Riley added that each must ensure their uniqueness is highlighted, stressing that ‘when you see one island, you only see one island and not the Caribbean as a whole’.