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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. | |
The Black History Month annual observation in February pays tribute to the achievements of generations of African Americans and the role they have played, often while struggling against immense adversity, in United States history. Many other nations also devote this month to recognizing Black history, which includes illuminating the incredible contributions of African and Caribbean people across the globe. Let us know how your organization will mark Black History Month this year. | |
“The Caribbean is the most tourism dependent region in the world, and for too long many of the decisions regarding this region were made outside of it. (Caribbean Travel) Marketplace (to be held in Barbados May 9-11, 2023) gives us the opportunity to stamp our own mark on how our region is marketed and to whom. Often, we in the industry travel to foreign, and frequently very cold places, to entice others to come and experience our warmth and our hospitality. We print our beauty into booklets and flyers and project our magnificence onto screens. We use the most flowing language to convey to others what can only really be conveyed effectively live and in-person. This is what Marketplace means to us. The chance to bring the press and buyers here to feel the magic so that they can go back and sell that experience with passion and with lived perspective.” –Renée Coppin, Chairman, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) | |
Virgin Voyages cruises into 2023 with pop culture marketing tactic | |
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In a colorful video promotion, Virgin Voyages pays homage to a classic pop song from 1983, Karma Chameleon by Culture Club. Originally released by Virgin Records, the new Virgin Voyages-inspired tropical house tune features pop artist Drew Love and is debuting during the 40th anniversary of the original song.
The iconic song pays tribute to its Virgin roots while serving as a backdrop to the exclusively adult sailing experience offered by Virgin Voyages. Directed by Jonas Åkerlund and starring real Virgin Voyages crew members and guests, the video takes viewers on a cinematic journey through 24 hours at sea with the cruise line, showcasing the accommodations, spa and exercise facilities, pool and entertainment.
“We have won the hearts and minds of hundreds of thousands of Sailors who have fallen in love with Virgin Voyages because we created an experience everybody could love,” said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Brand Officer of Virgin Voyages. “As we continue to showcase our ships to the world, we wanted to share what it’s like on board based on what our Sailors have told us and shared on social.”
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This week we feature the birth of a new project by award-winning journalist and author Lebawit Lily Girma entitled “Tourism Lens” and available at tourismlens.com.
“For more than two years now, I’ve dreamed of having a new platform that brings together my decade-plus of multimedia reporting on immersive and sustainable tourism. I’m so grateful it’s finally here, albeit a work in progress,” said Girma, a former corporate attorney who ditched her Washington, DC office for the road in 2008 to follow her passion for storytelling and community impact through tourism.
Girma’s writing and photography have been published over the past decade across major media outlets, including BBC, CNN, National Geographic Traveller UK, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, AFAR, Sierra, Lonely Planet, The Guardian, and multiple past in-flight magazines, such as Delta Sky.
Girma, former editor-at-large and full-time global tourism reporter at Skift, is a fierce, longtime advocate of positively impactful and sustainable tourism and through Tourism Lens she will share meaningful travel stories and analyses. Tourism Lens will also offer industry training on impactful storytelling.
Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Ethiopian parents, Girma was raised in Cote d’Ivoire from age nine, and was later educated in the U.K. and U.S.
She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law and a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
She is fluent in four languages, including Amharic (native), French (native level) and Spanish (fluent). When she’s not traveling for work, she splits her time between the Dominican Republic and Maryland, where she has family on both ends.
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Cruise industry fundamentals | |
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Our series on service excellence in cruise tourism begins by covering some basics of the industry.
When conducting training in destinations throughout the Caribbean, trainers from Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence ensure that participants understand the fundamental facts about cruise industry operations.
For example, stakeholders, tour operators, and front-line personnel need to know that the cruise industry has remained the fastest growing sector in the leisure travel market; enhanced protocols have been implemented to ensure the health and safety of guests, crew members, and the communities cruise ships visit; and many cruise ship passengers use port calls as a way to “sample” destinations before choosing to return for a stayover visit.
Shore excursions are offered to cruise ship passengers, allowing them to disembark and experience the locales included on the ship’s itinerary. These excursions are one of the top revenue generators for cruise lines. Hence, shore excursion programs with strong ticket sales and favorable guest reports represent a positive business case for the ship to continue to call on the port.
At the same time, it is also critical for guests who choose to explore a destination on their own to have a “Wow!” experience as this also contributes to high destination ratings.
Cruise ship visitors want their in-destination experiences to be engaging, interactive and fun; to encourage them to learn and grow; to facilitate making personal connections with locals; to present opportunities for Instagram-worthy bragging rights; and to promote health and wellness. In addition, these elements need to be delivered with a level of professionalism, service, friendliness, and attention that exceeds each guest’s expectations.
It goes without saying that providing excellent service to every visitor is essential for solidifying a destination’s relationship with its cruise line partners. Every person in a destination who connects with a guest has an opportunity to make an impact on that visitor’s experience and what he or she remembers – and shares – about the destination.
Cruise lines will continue to call on ports where their passengers can expect excellent service and memorable experiences. Success breeds success, so if guest satisfaction ratings are strong and cruise ship revenue goals from shore excursions are met, the cruise lines will continue to come back for more.
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This brief video from Aquila offers helpful suggestions on providing excellent service. | |
Our next installment will look at the need for effective communication and working together. | |
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World Cancer Day (WCD) takes place on February 4, 2023. It is the global uniting initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
By raising worldwide awareness, improving education, and catalyzing personal, collective, and government action, the UICC works together with partners to reimagine a world where millions of preventable cancer deaths are prevented and access to lifesaving cancer treatment and care is equal for all – regardless of where a patient lives.
Worldwide, cancer is the second leading cause of death, causing one-sixth of all deaths. In 2020, there were 19.3 million new cancer cases, with breast, lung, prostate, skin and colon cancers being the most common; and there were 10 million cancer deaths in that same year.
According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), cancer is the leading cause of death in the Caribbean accounting for a fifth of all deaths. In 2020, over 100,000 new cancer cases and over 65,000 cancer deaths in the Caribbean were estimated. Female breast cancer accounted for the most cancer cases in the Caribbean (15%), while lung cancer caused the most cancer deaths (12%). Prostate, colorectal, and stomach cancers are also common.
Adopting the following healthier behaviors can help to reduce one’s risk of cancer.
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Drinking less alcohol
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Avoiding tobacco products and exposure to second-hand smoke
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Increasing physical activity
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Eating more nutritious foods
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In this week’s MPE Caribbean Report, we feature a Bahamian tourism executive’s vision to raise up the next generation of tourism leaders. | | | | |
