The Caribbean Tourism Group (CTO) shone a highlight on a few of the area’s most influential ladies throughout its second annual Caribbean Girls in Tourism Management Awards, hosted on the opening night time of Caribbean Week in New York.
Held below the theme “Class and Excellence”, the elegant, invitation-only dinner came about at The Westin New York at Instances Sq.. Spearheaded by CTO Secretary-Normal Dona Regis-Prosper, the night featured soulful leisure by St. Lucian vocalist Michel Aubertin and The Legendary Supreme Group, and delivered heartfelt speeches, toasts, and tributes in an environment stuffed with empowerment and camaraderie.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy delivered the keynote handle, sharing her story of resilience and ambition. “My mantra has at all times been ‘aspire to encourage’. We actually can’t encourage others. That’s as much as every individual, whether or not they really feel or are impressed. However we will all aspire to try this,” she mentioned.
The spotlight of the night got here with the presentation of 5 awards to standout ladies who’ve made important contributions to Caribbean tourism:
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Minister of Tourism Award: Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts and Nevis
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Director of Tourism Award: Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism, Cayman Islands
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Secretary-Normal’s Distinguished Service Award: Karolin Troubetzkoy, Government Director, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts, Saint Lucia
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Legacy Award for Contribution to Caribbean Tourism: Thea LaFond, 2024 Olympic gold medalist, Dominica
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Recognition for Service: Petra Roach, outgoing CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority
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“Management typically will be lonely — particularly as a lady,” shared Minister Henderson, talking candidly concerning the challenges she’s confronted all through her political journey.
Director Rosa Harris provided a deeply private reflection on balancing management obligations with household life. “Exhibiting up with confidence and goal” was a thread that ran via her remarks.
Karolin Troubetzkoy, honored for many years of service, delivered one of the vital poignant speeches of the night time, referencing the latest lack of her husband and enterprise companion, Nick. “It’s not shallow phrases after I say I’m not solely flattered — I’m actually deeply humbled that you simply discovered me worthy,” she mentioned.
Troubetzkoy additionally spoke about her ongoing give attention to sustainability: “Now that I’m surrounded by so many fantastic ladies, I knew for the previous few years that Caribbean tourism was in glorious fingers.”
Olympian Thea LaFond accepted her award with a stirring tribute to the ladies who got here earlier than her. “Every part that I’m, all the things I used to be raised on was off the backs and off the prototypes and off the trial and errors of the ladies in my life — particularly the Caribbean ladies,” she mentioned.
The night additionally included sharp wit and heat moments. Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James captured the spirit of the event with humor and admiration: “You girls are gathered … to do what Caribbean ladies do greatest — shine, help and slay in that precise order. The world could also be 70% water, however tonight it’s 100% ladies making waves.”
Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism Charles “Max” Fernandez highlighted the broader affect of the occasion. “Tonight is greater than a celebration, it’s a press release — and it is a regional win,” he mentioned.
The occasion additionally marked the launch of From the Sea Suite, CTO’s first ladies’s management journal, spotlighting over 40 outstanding ladies in Caribbean tourism. A kind of featured was Valérie Damaseau, Commissioner of Tourism and Tradition for Saint-Martin. Recalling her rise from modest beginnings, she urged attendees, “Don’t ever let the worry of the unknown cease you from accessing your subsequent chapter.”
Sponsored by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Carnival Company & plc, the 2025 Caribbean Girls in Tourism Management Awards reaffirmed the rising visibility, energy, and potential of girls shaping the way forward for Caribbean journey.
