St. Vincent and the Grenadines, March 25, 2025 – St. Vincent and the Grenadines has recorded a 25.6% year-on-year increase in stayover arrivals, surpassing its target and marking a 39% rise over 2019, one of the country’s strongest tourism years before the global health pandemic.

For the first time in the nation’s history, stayover arrivals exceeded 100,000 visitors.

Minister of Tourism Carlos James attributed the impressive growth to several key factors, including a sharp increase in airlift with four new carriers added in Q4 of 2024, a booming yachting and cruise sector, and expanded hotel development. New properties such as Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, La Vue Hotel, and Mayah’s Hotel have contributed significantly to the destination’s appeal.

Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, described the record-breaking surge in visitor arrivals as a “game-changing achievement we are incredibly proud to have influenced.” He noted that the opening of Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines has exceeded expectations and brought something truly extraordinary to the island.

Looking ahead to 2025, Minister James emphasized plans to sustain this momentum, with additional room stock in the pipeline, including the Marriott St. Vincent, which will break ground this year with 250 additional rooms.

March 25, 2025 – World Travel Awards, (WTA) has announced that Cancún, Mexico has been selected to host its Latin America Ceremony 2025. The world-class city will welcome travel and tourism figureheads for the red-carpet on 27 September.  The announcement was made at a VIP signing in Madrid, organised by Secretaría Municipal de Turismo Cancún, on the eve of FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair 2025.

WTA’s debut reflects the buoyancy of the travel and tourism sector in Cancún and the beautiful state of Quintana Roo. Nestled on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, the destination offers the perfect blend of majestic beaches, historic sites, rich culture and a wealth of activities.

Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “After receiving applications from a strong field of prospective destinations, I am delighted to announce that World Travel Awards has selected Cancún as the Official Host Destination of the World Travel Awards Latin America Ceremony 2025.”

“I look forward to welcoming travel industry leaders from across Latin America to experience the many delights of Cancún, from fabulous beaches, tropical forests and legendary nightlife to ancient Mayan sites.”

Juan Pablo de Zulueta, Municipal Secretary of Tourism, Cancún: says: “We are honoured that, for the first time, we have been unanimously chosen to host the World Travel Awards Latin America Ceremony 2025 in Cancún. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms.”

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

Montego Bay, March 24, 2025 – The 12^th Global Leadership Summit (GLS) Jamaica will be held virtually on Thursday (March 27) under the distinguished patronage of Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

The Summit, being hosted by the Global Leadership Network (GLN) Jamaica under the theme ‘Design Your Future, Innovate, Inspire and Transform’, aims to equip mission-driven leaders with cutting-edge insights, innovative strategies and invaluable global connections to shape a thriving future.

The event will be divided into four sessions featuring presentations by eight transformational leaders. They include Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Dr. Carey Wallace, and Founder and Senior Pastor at Life Church in the United States and Best-Selling Author, Craig Groechel.

Country Leader and Central Regional Chair of GLN-Jamaica, Dr. Grace Kelly, said the Summit is set to be a “transformational experience”, noting that the event’s virtual format augurs well for achieving the initiative’s goals.

“It’s going to be so dynamic that, wherever you sit, you are going to feel as if you are in the real physical space, because we are going to be there behind the scenes, communicating with you, answering your questions. So you can watch this in the comfort of your home. I’m assuring the teams, those who will be attending, that after the day of the Summit, we will make arrangements for those who may [want] to watch it again, just so that they can get the full experience,” she told JIS News.

Dr. Kelly emphasised that, “We are investing in leaders who will shape Jamaica’s future… leaders who will innovate, who will create jobs, who will strengthen communities, and who will inspire a new generation of changemakers.”

She also highlighted that the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information sent out a bulletin about the event. Additionally, the Nursing Council of Jamaica is granting five continuing education credits to nurses who participate in the Summit.

For his part, Summit Co-Chair, Reverend Dave Falconer, told JIS News that the event promises to be an “unforgettable experience”.

“GLS is a world-class leadership conference that empowers leaders, providing them with fresh, actionable and inspiring leadership content wherever they lead,” he said.

He informed that, “it brings together leaders from every sector of the society, [such as] churches, business, corporate, government and unions”.

“It’s a galvanising event that emanates from the US (United States) and will simulcast in the United States and Canada and through videocasts around the world in up to 136 countries,” Rev. Faulkner further indicated.

Persons can register online to attend the event at iteneri.com/summit2025 or call 876-343-2252 for details.

The registration cost per person in Jamaica is $6,500, with students paying $3,000. For individuals registering overseas, the cost is US$50 per person and US$30 for students. Group rates are also available for leaders who want to bring their teams.

Lead Producer of GLS Jamaica, Dwayne Madden, advised that registration will be facilitated up to March 26, details of which can be accessed online, while pointing out that more than 1,000 persons can be accommodated.

Thereafter, he said a link will be forwarded prior to the Summit to enable participants to ensure they are “ready to go on March 27”.

CONTACT: SERENA GRANT

Release: JIS