CARIBBEAN tourism leaders have reaffirmed the region’s resilience and global appeal despite mounting economic, geopolitical and climate-related challenges, as Caribbean Week 2026 officially opened in New York with calls for greater collaboration and continued investment in the industry.
The opening ceremony brought together tourism ministers, industry stakeholders and government officials from across the Caribbean and the United States, including Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Ministerial Council and Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill.
Addressing the gathering, Gooding-Edghill said the Caribbean tourism sector is operating in an increasingly complex global environment, marked by geopolitical tensions; economic uncertainty; inflationary pressures; rising operational costs and the growing effects of climate change.
“These are real challenges affecting connectivity, investment, resilience and the long-standing competitiveness of tourism-dependent economies,” he said.
Despite these obstacles, the Barbadian minister noted that the Caribbean continues to rank among the world’s most sought-after tourism destinations and remains one of the most resilient regions globally.
According to Gooding-Edghill, that resilience has been built through strong leadership, regional co-operation, innovation and a shared commitment to advancing the tourism industry.
“The Caribbean has grown even more resilient, and it is our responsibility as Ministers of Tourism and travel-trade partners to rise to the challenge and protect Caribbean tourism,” he told attendees.
The minister stressed that sustained collaboration among governments, tourism agencies and private-sector partners will be critical to maintaining the region’s competitiveness and ensuring continued growth.
Meanwhile, New York State’s Chief Procurement Officer Dhanraj Singh, highlighted the deep historical, cultural and economic ties between New York and the Caribbean, describing the relationship as one built over generations through shared values, migration, trade and investment.
“New York and the Caribbean share a relationship that extends far beyond geography,” Singh said. “The Caribbean story is woven into the New York story.”
He pointed to the visible influence of Caribbean communities across New York’s neighbourhoods, businesses, institutions and workforce, noting that Caribbean immigrants and their descendants have played a significant role in shaping the state’s cultural identity and economic success.
“You see it in our neighbourhoods, in our businesses, our institutions, our workforce, our entrepreneurship, public service, food, music and culture,” Singh said. “Caribbean people have helped shape the state for generations, contributing not only to its cultural richness, but also to its economic strength, resilience and global identity.”
Singh also paid tribute to prominent Caribbean-American figures such as the late Shirley Chisholm, the daughter of Caribbean immigrants and the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, and the late General Colin Powell, the son of Jamaican immigrants who rose to become U.S. Secretary of State.
He said their achievements underscore the enduring contributions of Caribbean people to American society and global leadership.
The New York official further reaffirmed his state’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic opportunities through modernised procurement systems, support for minority- and women-owned businesses, and policies aimed at promoting responsible economic development.
According to Singh, New York has long served as a gateway for Caribbean peoples and remains a vital partner to the region through tourism, trade, education, investment and family connections that span generations.
“That is why Caribbean Week matters,” he said. “Gatherings like this are more than a celebration of tourism, they are a celebration of identity, partnership, economic connection and the shared future that we all aspire to realise.”
He added that the event serves as a reminder that the Caribbean is not peripheral to New York’s success, but is an integral part of its story and continued growth.
Caribbean Week, hosted annually by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, serves as the region’s premier tourism event in North America, bringing together policymakers, tourism executives, investors and members of the Caribbean diaspora to promote the region, strengthen partnerships and explore opportunities for sustainable tourism development.
This year’s event comes as Caribbean destinations continue to focus on enhancing resilience, expanding connectivity and attracting investment, while adapting to emerging global challenges and changing travel trends.