The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) says New York will wake up to “Caribbean Wellness” during Caribbean Week 2018.
CTO said Caribbean Week New York (#CWNY18) will have “a special feel this year as the city of over 8.5 million people gets a taste of the re-energizing and rejuvenating power of Caribbean wellness.”
During the weeklong event, from June 2-8, the CTO said “the wellness theme will be incorporated into many of the bespoke activities, including a trade show and educational forum for travel agents on Tuesday, June 5 to better prepare them to sell the Caribbean as a wellness and rejuvenation destination.”
CTO dubs Caribbean Week New York as “the largest regional tourism activity in the New York area.”
It said artistes, performers, celebrity chefs, investors and other strategic partners join government officials and the media “as all converge on the ‘Big Apple’ for a week of festivities designed to raise awareness for the Caribbean’s diverse tourism industry and provide opportunities for member destinations to promote their individual products and services.”
CTO said ministers, directors of tourism, national tourist office representatives and other tourism and hospitality officials will participate in meetings, seminars and other business development events “to further enhance the Caribbean brand and provide necessary updates and critical support to the travel agents and press who influence key traveler demographics.”
One of the key changes this year is the “Getting up Close & Personal with Top Journalists” event, Caribbean Media Marketplace, “which is set to be even more effective with a refreshing morning schedule on Thursday, June 7,” CTO said.
It said the media will have an additional opportunity to network with tourism officials and industry executives later that evening with the expanded, Jamaica co-sponsored Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards Dinner.
In addition to the traditional media categories, CTO said this year’s program will recognize excellence and innovation in digital marketing and social media news coverage.
Caribbean Week New York culminates with a star-studded cultural celebration at the iconic Capitale in New York City for the annual Rum & Rhythm Benefit — “the Ultimate Food and Rum Experience in New York City — where the region’s top food and beverage talents will serve as flavor ambassadors for Caribbean gastronomy and mixology on Friday, June 8,” CTO said.
The week-long agenda of consumer and trade events includes: Celebrity Chefs Program; Tourism Industry Workshop; Caribbean Diaspora Forum; Trade Show and Educational Forum for Travel Agents; Caribbean Students Colloquium; Caribbean Marketing Conference; CTO Press Conference; Caribbean Media Marketplace; Caribbean Tourism Industry Awards Dinner; and Rum & Rhythm Benefit.
