By ieyenews

Copyright ieyenews

September 29, 2025

Ready, Set, SOTIC — Barbados takes the stage

Barbados is buzzing — SOTIC 2025 has arrived! From September 30 to October 3, the Caribbean Tourism Organization will chart the future of regional tourism at the annual State of the Tourism Industry Conference under the theme “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism: Research, Relevance and the Road Ahead”. See the full program at sotic.onecaribbean.org.

CMEx Laureate Spotlight: Ronella Croes

We continue our spotlight on the 2025 CMEx laureates, who will be celebrated in Miami on Sunday, December 7, at Loews Coral Gables Hotel.

Ronella Croes has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) for more than 14 years, steering the island through periods of robust growth and a recent strategic shift toward responsible tourism. Since leading ATA’s transition to an autonomous entity in 2011, she has overseen more than a doubling of total earnings from inbound international travelers, which reached US $2.67 billion in 2024.

In response to the challenges of overtourism and shifting global sentiment, Croes pivoted ATA’s strategy in 2024 to place greater emphasis on responsible tourism. Central to this approach is strengthening the high-value visitor model — attracting like-minded guests who appreciate Aruba’s ethos of responsible travel, contribute meaningfully to the economy, respect local culture and nature, and help protect the island’s brand.

Key to this vision is the Aruba Promise, a commitment which encourages visitors to consider their footprint on the island, embrace a slow pace, promise to be responsible and respectful guests, and travel mindfully so that Aruba can remain “One Happy Island” for generations to come.

Beyond her tourism leadership, Croes plays an active role in Aruba’s National Crisis Structure and has earned recognition for her guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also sits on the advisory boards of Aruba’s Mental Health Foundation Respaldo, and RBC Royal Bank Aruba N.V.

A dedicated advocate for sustainable development, women’s empowerment, and mental health, Croes continues to shape Aruba’s guest economy with resilience, foresight and purpose.

The CMEx Leadership Awards is powered by Platinum Sponsor Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. Other sponsors include Calabash Cove Resort & Spa (St. Lucia); Carnival Corporation & plc; Chukka Caribbean Adventures; Coco Palm (St. Lucia); Comfort Suites Paradise Island (Bahamas); Ladera Resort (St. Lucia); Marketplace Excellence Corporation; Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board (Bahamas); Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour (St. Kitts); Rodman Marketing Guru; Round Hill Hotel and Villas (Jamaica); The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission; Tropical Attractions; Tropical Shipping; and Vanessa James Media.

Proceeds will support educational initiatives that empower Caribbean youth and tourism professionals.

For tickets and details, visit cmexmedia.org.

Photo Flashback: From GCM to BGI

A year ago at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in the Cayman Islands, CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper stood alongside Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill, then newly-appointed CTO Chairman. This week, the tourism leaders will guide the narrative as the action shifts to Barbados for what promises to be a dynamic week of activities at SOTIC 2025.

Quotable Caribbean

“Hosting the FCCA (Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association) Conference this October places Puerto Rico at the forefront of the region’s cruise industry and highlights our capability to host major conventions. The conference will strengthen ongoing initiatives to grow our cruise sector, which generates over $170 million in economic activity. We will continue to support the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s efforts to expand the industry on the island, creating jobs and stimulating economic development.” – Jenniffer González Colón, Governor, Puerto Rico

“When I wrote songs all my life, I always feel that songs were expressions of my soul. In the late 70s when I understood the power of music through people like Bob Marley and (Peter) Tosh, I think I decided to be one of the freedom fighters without guns, but with the word.” — Clement ‘Bankie Banx’ Banks, Anguillian Musician

Photo credit: Ron Fanfair

Proverbially West Indian

Medical Moment

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

September marks Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month, shining a light on one of the most common inherited blood disorders. In SCD, red blood cells become rigid and crescent-shaped, leading to reduced blood flow and complications such as anemia, severe pain, infections, stroke and organ damage. A child develops SCD when the gene mutation is inherited from both parents, while inheriting it from one parent results only in the sickle cell trait.

The Caribbean has the highest incidence of SCD outside West Africa. Added health challenges such as dengue fever intensify risks, and during the COVID-19 pandemic the condition was flagged as high-risk in Jamaica, Guadeloupe, and Antigua and Barbuda. Persistent inequities in care shorten life expectancy by about 20 years. While breakthroughs in gene therapy bring new hope, their high cost continues to limit access for many.

This month offers an opportunity to raise awareness, support those living with SCD, and advocate for greater investment in accessible treatments and care across the region.

Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) is a global public relations, marketing and media company.