Caribbean News
Janelle Hopkin Shares Expert Insights on Securing the Future of Caribbean Hospitality
Grenadian hotelier delivers headline address at SOTIC in the Cayman Islands
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (September 14, 2024) – Grenadian luxury boutique hotel owner, Janelle Hopkin, shared her vision for elevating Caribbean hospitality to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. Her blueprint outlines strategies to create immersive and personalized journeys for the guests of the future.
Her comments were part of her headline address at CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), which took place September 2-6 at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands. Hopkin, who serves as President & Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, was invited to speak from an operator’s perspective on navigating the evolving tourism landscape.
Drawing from the conference theme, “Caribbean Tourism: Fueling our Lifeblood”, Hopkin metaphorically compared the guest experience to the blood that carries vital elements for a healthy body. Just as blood transports oxygen, nutrients and waste to and from cells, the guest experience delivers all the essential components of a perfect stay to sustain the life of the Caribbean tourism industry.
Similarly, she likened the role of the heart as the “pump or engine” that facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to staff. In this instance she posited that “people are the heart of hospitality,” denoting that the human resource is the first pillar of her framework.
“Hospitality and tourism are fast-paced, and if we intend to remain competitive, we must invest more in our people. Staff training and
skills development are crucial for long-term success. By equipping team members with the necessary knowledge, tools, and techniques – and keeping them updated with industry trends and best practices – they can boost productivity and consistently deliver high-quality, superior service that can enhance customer experience, improve customer satisfaction, and drive business growth,” she explained.
Referencing her own experiences as a hotelier, she outlined the four-part model (authenticity, individualization, innovation, and excellence) that has worked successfully to establish her resort as one of the premier Caribbean all-inclusive properties. This model has enabled her to deliver stays that are effortlessly bespoke – unique, memorable, highly distinctive, and shaped by local culture.
In her speech, once again referencing this year’s theme, Hopkin made the case for technology as the ‘fuel’. She opined that operators must invest in technology, calling on them to evolve their strategies and take advantage of the impact technological advances can make on their businesses.
Hopkin stated, “The flexibility of new technologies and architectures is enabling operators to rethink how they can harness technology to make it easier for their organizations to innovate and position themselves to provide new offerings and meet the needs of guests. Technology will also be key to better managing operations and maximizing overall performance, enhancing sales and marketing approaches, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.”
She further explained that “to meet the demands of future travelers, and to truly engage and convert what I like to call the ‘now consumer’ – a highly mobile, always-connected individualist – operators would need to embrace the technology these consumers use.” Accordingly, Caribbean hoteliers will need to address mobility holistically to determine ways to effectively integrate both guest and employee demands into their enterprise and property IT architectures and manage them across the guest life cycle.
As a third generation hotelier, and daughter of the late iconic Caribbean hotelier Sir Royston Hopkin, Janelle Hopkin brought a youthful energy to the conference and spoke with optimism about the future for the sector. She closed by stating that if tourism is indeed seen as the ‘lifeblood of the Caribbean’, then it is imperative that more young hoteliers like herself understand that hospitality is now “part art, part science”, to ensure the region remains poised to meet the needs of the ever-evolving, “choice spoilt” voyagers of the future.
Caribbean News
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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