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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.

September 14, 2026

FCCA puts authentic regional experiences on Seatrade Cruise Med agenda

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) will bring a Caribbean and Latin American perspective to Seatrade Cruise Med in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain this week, with an FCCA-curated panel focused on creating more authentic experiences for European cruise guests.

Moderated by FCCA President Adam Ceserano, “Beyond the Beach” will examine how destinations can transform their culture, history, cuisine, music, adventure and hospitality into memorable shoreside experiences that meet evolving traveler expectations and strengthen destination appeal.

The session is significant because cruise tourism is an important economic driver across the Caribbean and Latin America, supporting tour operators, guides, attractions, transportation providers, restaurants, artisans and other small businesses.

More distinctive shoreside experiences can increase visitor spending, encourage repeat visitation and spread tourism’s benefits more widely throughout local communities.

Joining Ceserano will be Marie McKenzie, senior vice president of government and destination affairs at Carnival Corporation and chair of the FCCA Operations Committee; Davide Truscello, director of pricing, itinerary and revenue planning at Costa Cruises; Rosana Morillo, group vice president of government affairs at MSC Group; Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill; and Marc Melville, CEO of Chukka Caribbean Adventures.

The panel takes place Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 3:50 to 4:30 p.m. in Fuerteventura Hall at Santa Catalina Terminal, Las Palmas Cruise Port. 

CMEx to honor BVI tourism leader Natasha Chalwell  

Natasha Chalwell

This week, the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) shines the spotlight on Natasha J. Chalwell, a distinguished leadership laureate who will be celebrated at the 2026 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in the Miami area.

Chalwell has served as deputy director of tourism for the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission since January 2025. With more than 20 years of experience in tourism marketing, product development and stakeholder engagement, she is helping strengthen the BVI’s global profile while advancing sustainable, high-value visitor experiences.

Her leadership has emphasized modernization, collaboration and strategic transformation. Among the digital initiatives she has championed is the integration of MindTrip AI into the BVI’s official destination website, enhancing trip planning through personalized itineraries and recommendations. While embracing innovation, Chalwell maintains that technology should support — not replace — the authentic human connections that distinguish the Virgin Islands experience.

Throughout her career, she has contributed to destination promotion, sustainable tourism development, cruise policy and international marketing. Her accomplishments include leading the BVI’s first Sustainable Tourism Environmental Program, Tourism Comprehensive Disaster Plan and Tourism Education Program.

CMEx will celebrate Chalwell and an outstanding group of Caribbean leadership laureates whose vision, service and achievements continue to inspire the region and its people.

The event is powered by Platinum Sponsor, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.

Major sponsors include The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, Carnival Corporation, Marketplace Excellence Corporation, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

Additional sponsors supporting the cause include Coco Palm (St. Lucia), Fond Doux Eco Resort (St. Lucia), Ladera Resort (St. Lucia), Mount Cinnamon Beach & Wellness Resort (Grenada), GRUPO PUNTACANA (The Westin Puntacana Resort), 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 more details visit cmexmedia.org.

Carnival helps hundreds of Grand Turk students start school year strong

Participants celebrate Carnival Cruise Line’s first back-to-school giveaway on Grand Turk.  

Carnival Cruise Line helped hundreds of Grand Turk students start the new school year with confidence — and a little extra fun — during its first back-to-school giveaway on the island.

The free, family-friendly event brought students and their families together for an afternoon of food, games and community celebration. Carnival distributed hundreds of backpacks filled with essential supplies for primary, junior high and high school students. Attendees also received food and beverages, haircut vouchers and access to bouncy castles, face painting and other children’s activities.

The giveaway was made possible through Carnival’s collaboration with local vendors, businesses and community organizations across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Our back-to-school giveaways are among the highlights of our community calendar in several destinations each year, and we’re glad to now bring the program to Grand Turk,” said Philcher Grant, Carnival’s director of public affairs and community engagement for The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. “These events are about more than backpacks and supplies — they’re about showing up for families in the communities we call home and helping students start the school year with confidence and excitement.”

“Carnival’s generosity made a real difference for the students and families of Grand Turk,” said Francisco Hodge, general manager of the Grand Turk Cruise Center. “Seeing so many [children] smile and share their excitement [about] the start of the school year was a reminder of how much this partnership means to the Turks and Caicos.”

Quotable Caribbean

“We are unapologetically Caribbean. There’s no way for me to compete with Orlando, Miami, South Beach [or] Fort Lauderdale. The bottom line is that we don’t need to be fancy. We just need to be real.” — Marc Melville, CEO, Chukka Caribbean Adventures

“As women, we must continue to support, mentor and champion one another. That work is essential. But we should also be generous enough to acknowledge the men who have stood beside us, opened doors and used their influence for good. To the men who helped shape my journey — thank you. I see you. I remember. I am grateful.”— Beverly Nicholson Doty, CEO, Figment Design

In case you missed it ...

For Caribbean Tourism Authority highlights this week, click below:

Aquila Connects the Classroom to the Cruise Industry

Jamaica Tourist Board appoints Vance Carter to strengthen U.S. diaspora engagement

CTO appoints Courtney-Diana Walker as program officer, sustainable tourism

Tink Bout It

“Without arrivals, families don’t eat.”

Many tourism conversations today revolve around value — higher rates, longer stays and greater visitor spending. That is a good conversation, but it is not the only one.

High arrival numbers alone do not represent success, especially when visitor spending fails to reach local workers, businesses and communities.

But without adequate airlift, cruise calls and sustained demand, there is no value to capture in the first place.

The goal is not to choose between arrivals and yield. It is to attract enough visitors, encourage them to spend more and ensure more of that spending remains in the Caribbean.

Yield determines how much tourism delivers. Arrivals determine whether it has anything to deliver.



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