The CTO (Caribbean Tourism Organization) is ready to positively impact the Routes of the Americas in Bogotá, Colombia, next week.
This important air services development forum uniting the Americas brings together senior decision-makers from the region's major airlines, airports and other tourism and aviation stakeholders. The CTO delegation, led by Secretary General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper and Faye Gill, Director of Membership Services, will attend the CORFERIAS business and exhibition centre from March 19 to 21, 2024.
“In an era where connectivity is the engine of recovery and progress, our participation in Routes Americas is a significant step for the Caribbean. It is a platform that allows us to expand our presence and forge essential partnerships within the global aviation ecosystem,” emphasized Regis-Prosper.
"This is integral to our ongoing commitment to enhance the visibility of the region and foster meaningful interactions that pave the way for more connections to and within the Caribbean." In anticipation of Routes Americas, CTO, in collaboration with Airport Strategy & Marketing (ASM), recently hosted an innovative two-day training event in Barbados on air route development titled ‘Aviation Marketing, Incentives and Negotiation.’
According to Regis-Prosper, this initiative represents a crucial step in the organization's strategy to improve air access to and from the Caribbean. Throughout next week's three-day event in South America, delegates will take part in an immersive program that will include face-to-face meetings, networking opportunities and access to exclusive industry insights.
A highlight of the event is the Caribbean-focused panel discussion ‘Aviation Competitiveness in the Caribbean,’ scheduled for Tuesday, March 19 from 2:35 pm to 3:20 pm. Panelists include Kenneth Romer (Deputy Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation); Trevor Sadler (CEO of interCaribbean Airways); Hans van de Velde (CEO, Windward Islands Airways International – WINAIR); Rafael Echevarne (General Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Airports Council International – ACI); and Peter Cerdá (Regional Vice President, The Americas, IATA), moderated by David Appleby (Director, ASM).
This session will explore the competitive landscape of the Caribbean aviation sector, highlighting efforts to boost air connectivity within the region and to emerging markets in South America and Europe. Despite the challenges of several destinations to recover pre-2019 levels of flight frequencies and seat availability, the discussion promises to uncover strategic approaches towards financial and traffic resurgence and explore new avenues for growth in the aviation sector.
During the conference, the CTO team will meet with its members and airline partners. The CTO's Caribbean-themed booth will be located at booth S24.
