The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter offers travel, tourism, Caribbean and global news weekly. To share stories, information or intelligence, contact us at info@marketplaceexcellence.com. | | CMEx launches 2026 honoree profiles with ‘Carivangelist’ Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon | | |
This week the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) launches a series profiling distinguished honorees whose careers reflect leadership, service, and a sustained commitment to advancing the Caribbean and its tourism industry.
The honorees will be recognized at the 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in the Miami area.
First up is Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon who has been traveling to the beach and beyond to share the culture, lifestyle and personalities of the Caribbean for more than three decades.
She is an award-winning writer, editor and on-air travel expert. But her most important title, she says, is one she gave herself: Carivangelist.
“As a Carivangelist, it’s my mission to spread the ‘gospel’ of the region which is that all our islands are not the same! Aruba is not the same as Antigua or Anguilla or Anegada. The Caribbean is so much more than just swaying palms and swoon-worthy beaches. It has a diversity of culture, cuisine, language and music that’s unparalleled. It’s my pleasure and honor to share that rich variety with the world through my work in print, online and in front of the camera.”
Author of Assouline’s “Cayman Islands,” the latest in its Travel Series of coffee-table books, Greaves-Gabbadon contributes to media brands including Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, Food & Wine, Canada’s The Globe and Mail, and the U.K.’s The Telegraph. She has also appeared as a travel expert on PBS, NBC and Canada’s CTV, and has been featured in National Geographic, The Washington Post and Runner’s World.
Based in Miami, she is the founder of JetSetSarah.com where her passions for travel, style and fitness meet.
Follow her adventures on social media @JetSetSarah and at JetSetSarah.com.
The 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser is made possible through the support of its corporate and destination partners.
The event is powered by Platinum Sponsor the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
Major sponsors include The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; Carnival Corporation; Marketplace Excellence Corporation; and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Additional sponsors supporting the cause include Tropical Attractions and Vanessa James Media.
Proceeds support educational programs, youth development initiatives and professional training designed to empower the next generation of Caribbean tourism and media leaders.
For this year’s roster of honorees and more information, visit cmexmedia.org.
| | Delta’s Texas focus creates fresh opportunity for Caribbean destinations | | |
The Caribbean may want to invest more aggressively in Texas, long viewed as one of the more resilient U.S. source markets.
Delta Air Lines appears to be thinking along similar lines.
In a recent interview on Airlines Confidential Podcast, CEO Ed Bastian singled out Austin and, longer term, San Antonio as markets where the carrier sees room to grow, acknowledging that Delta is “not as big in Texas as we’d like.”
The opportunity for the Caribbean is not limited to securing new nonstop service. A stronger Delta presence in Texas can also feed Caribbean-bound travelers through its powerful Atlanta hub, where the airline serves dozens of international destinations including a robust Caribbean network.
There is already evidence that the Caribbean can successfully tap this market. Cayman Airways launched seasonal nonstop service between Austin and Grand Cayman in May. The route performed strongly enough for the airline to announce an expanded season beginning in December 2026.
Bastian did not specifically mention the Caribbean, but his message should command attention across the region: Delta intends to deepen its position in Texas while pursuing greater international growth. For Caribbean destinations, that creates an opportunity to build even greater demand now — whether the traveler ultimately reaches the region nonstop from Texas or connects seamlessly through Atlanta.
| | Jamaica PM to keynote 9th Annual Anchor Awards in Florida | Prime Minister Andrew Holness | |
Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica will serve as keynote speaker and special guest at the 9th Annual American Caribbean Maritime Foundation (ACMF) Anchor Awards, taking place Nov. 5, 2026, at The Diplomat Beach Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.
Under the theme “Caribbean Maritime Professionals: The Backyard Advantage,” the evening will honor Marie McKenzie of Carnival Corporation and Richard Scheff of Faegre Drinker, two distinguished leaders in the Caribbean maritime community, for their contributions to the maritime, cruise, shipping, logistics, and legal sectors and their commitment to the continued growth of the Caribbean.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Prime Minister Holness to the ACMF Anchor Awards,” said Jennifer Nugent-Hill, ACMF interim board chairman and assistant vice president of government and community affairs at Tropical. “His presence underscores the importance of the maritime sector to Jamaica and the Caribbean and the critical role that education and human capital development play in creating opportunity for our young people.”
McKenzie is the senior vice president of government and destination affairs at Carnival Corporation, and Scheff is a partner at Faegre Drinker. Both have also been part of ACMF’s support network, reflecting their longstanding commitment to the foundation’s mission.
The Anchor Awards have become a signature gathering of leaders from the cruise, cargo, shipping, logistics, ports, government and maritime sectors. The event celebrates those who have helped build and strengthen the Caribbean’s maritime economy while raising vital resources for the next generation.
Proceeds from the awards will support scholarships and grants for aspiring Caribbean maritime professionals including future marine engineers, logisticians, captains, port managers, and other maritime and logistics professionals.
ACMF’s mission is to alleviate poverty and transform lives in the Caribbean through maritime education and community development. The foundation provides scholarships, grants and educational resources to students pursuing careers throughout the maritime sector.
| | Cruise industry sets course for San Juan as FCCA deadlines approach | |
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Note: This promotional video was AI-generated.
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The countdown is on to the 32nd Annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show with cruise executives, destinations and industry partners preparing to gather in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Oct. 12-16, 2026 — and two important deadlines are fast approaching.
Delegates have until Aug. 31 to take advantage of early registration while the deadline to book accommodations at the official conference hotel, Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino, is Sept. 10.
The conference will bring together cruise executives and key decision-makers with destinations, ports, tourism officials, suppliers and other industry partners for several days of meetings, networking, business development and discussions focused on strengthening the cruise sector.
For destinations and businesses looking to deepen relationships with the cruise industry, the gathering offers an opportunity to connect directly with the people shaping deployment, destination partnerships, guest experiences and future growth.
A new promotional video captures the message with a simple question: “San Juan is calling — are you answering?”
With Puerto Rico preparing to welcome the cruise industry in October, FCCA is encouraging prospective delegates to make their move before the upcoming deadlines.
Register now at FCCAConference.com.
| | “When we launched Austin, we saw the potential to connect the Cayman Islands with one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. The market has responded exceptionally well, and this expansion reflects our commitment to developing routes where we see sustainable demand and long-term opportunity. By extending the season and introducing a second weekly flight, we are responding directly to customer demand while strengthening connectivity between the Cayman Islands and an important U.S. market. As the national airline, we remain focused on delivering reliable air service that supports our customers, our tourism industry and the continued development of the Cayman Islands.” — Fabian Whorms, President and CEO, Cayman Airways | | In case you missed it ... | | |
For Caribbean Tourism Authority highlights this week, click below:
| | “[People across] the world [are] increasingly looking for places they can go and have an opportunity to learn, to explore, to enjoy, to spend time with friends. The world’s more accessible, despite all the complexities of the world, than ever before. I think people feel more in touch, in certain ways, with wanting to go out into the world. And that’s not just air travel — that’s going to a high-end show on Broadway or a great dinner with friends. People are investing in themselves. I think the world of accumulating stuff is not as interesting as investing in experiences.” — Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines (speaking on Airlines Confidential Podcast) | | |
International Day for People of African Descent takes place on Aug. 31 and was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to recognize the culture, history and contributions of people of African descent worldwide.
The date has historical significance. On Aug. 31, 1920, a UN declaration outlining the rights of people of African descent was adopted in New York.
An estimated 200 million people of African descent live in the Americas with approximately 153.3 million in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The day provides an opportunity for governments to examine progress on equality and work with civil society organizations, schools and community groups to educate the public about the historical impact of racism and discrimination in areas such as education, employment, health care and justice.
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