BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – November 21, 2012 – The Caribbean region has set its sights on making greater inroads into the European cruise market as a record 12 destinations and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) come together for the Seatrade Med Convention in Marseille, November 27-29, 2012.
With the call for greater regional collaboration in relation to the cruise tourism sector, the group cites an expanded vision for future partnership. It is in a show of support for this regional thrust that the CTO has partnered with these destinations for this year’s event and will sponsor the industry reception “A Taste of the Tropics”.
The cruise industry is extremely important to the Caribbean and has provided a critical value-based sector to our overall tourism product mix,” said Hugh Riley, the CTO’s secretary general. “The CTO is happy to see member countries continuing to work together under the Caribbean Village banner because we believe if Caribbean destinations work more closely together, we will increase revenue per passenger, and grow the economic impact of cruising for our region.”
“There has been a significant shift in terms of our approach to the industry as we recognize that our traditional models are less effective in today’s business climate especially in light of successful joint marketing initiatives by cruising regions such as the Baltic and Mediterranean,” according to business development consultant for the group, Julie-Anne Burrowes. “Caribbean destinations have to partner more in order to remain relevant.”
About the Caribbean Village
The Caribbean Village promotes and markets the Caribbean as a group of unified yet richly diverse destinations in targeted world markets, showcasing the region as the ultimate cruise destination, offering world-class facilities and services to cruise ships, as well as innovative experiences to their guests.
For further information, please contact Julie-Anne Burrowes at julieanne@caribsurf.com or (246) 231-9370 or Johnson Johnrose, CTO at jjohnrose@caribtourism.com or (246) 427-5242