Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1140472
HUGH RILEY RETIRES AS CTO SECRETARY GENERAL AFTER TEN YEARS AT THE HELM The Region's Top Tourism Official Has Proceeded on Pre-Retirement Leave Until His Departure in June The region's tourism development agency is to begin the search for a new secretary general to replace the departing Hugh Riley. Riley, who was appointed to the top post at the Barbados- headquartered Carib- bean Tourism Organiza- tion (CTO) in August 2009 after acting for a year, has gone on pre- retirement leave ahead of his departure at the end of June this year. The organization's direc- tor of finance, Neil Walters, will act in the position until a successor is appointed. The secretary general is the public face and chief spokesper- son of the CTO, and provides the organization with visionary leadership, strong direction and clarity to its policy develop- ment. The holder of the post is responsible for implementing the vision of the organization based on the strategic direction set by the council of ministers and commissioners of tourism and the CTO board of directors. ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with head- quarters in Barbados, offices in New York and London and rep- resentation in Canada, is the Caribbean's tourism development agency comprising membership of the region's finest countries and territories including Dutch, English, French and Spanish- speaking, as well as a myriad of private sector allied members. The CTO's vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm weather destination, and its pur- pose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean. Among the benefits to its members the organization pro- vides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution and research & information technology. For more information on the Caribbean Tourism Organization, please visit www.OneCaribbean.org. THE BAHAMAS IS ENJOYING HISTORIC VISITOR NUMBERS From Air to Sea, The Bahamas' Tourism Business is Stronger Than Ever The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation has heralded the highest number of international arrivals ever, resulting in record hotel occupancy levels. The Bahamas won numerous tourism industry awards and media accolades in 2018 and 2019. The Bahamas began 2019 strong with the launch of a new, brand campaign highlighting the beauty and authenticity of its 16 islands in partnership with Lenny Kravitz, urg- ing travelers to Fly Away to The Bahamas. The Ministry also announced exciting plans for the development of a state of the art cruise port in Nassau. "It is my great pride and pleasure to report that The Bahamas is experiencing its strongest tourism numbers ever on record," said Minister D'Aguilar. "We look for- ward to building upon the success of our progressive plans and continuing the momentum in 2019 as we forge ahead with excit- ing new initiatives." RECORD ARRIVALS The Ministry's data partner, ForwardKeys, that tracks and reports inbound, visitor data 365 days in advance, from key designated marketing areas reported that inter- national arrivals to The Bahamas grew by 15% in January 2019 versus January 2018. Several key markets registered double-digit growth. In February, international arrivals increased by 11.1% year-over-year. The forward booking situation for the next three months (March to May) is optimistic, with forward bookings running 9.0% ahead for international arrivals. April (ahead by 15.6%) shows the most favorable outlook. Air capacity grew by 20.0% in January year-over-year, with a solid seat growth from the best-connected interna- tional markets - the U.S.A (+23.9%) and Canada (+12.7%). The USA and Canada will continue to lead the capacity growth in the next three months. The growth trend continues, as international air capacity grew by nearly 21% year-over-year in February. B M & T ••• May/June2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 46 CARIBBEAN CORNER D'Auilar.Dionisio Hugh Riley