Caribbean Cruise and Tourism Leaders Prioritise Resilience After Hurricane Melissa.
According to event organisers, Caribbean tourism officials and cruise executives met earlier this month aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in Miami to talk about the cruise industry’s contribution to long-term regional resilience and hurricane recovery.
After Hurricane Melissa hit many Caribbean resorts in October, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) held its second annual Caribbean Weekend, which included the “Iconic Summit.” Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, described the company’s response to the storm, which included delivering over 100 pallets of supplies, generators, food and water to the port of Falmouth in Jamaica as well as supporting community meals and distribution efforts in the impacted areas. In a conversation with CEO and CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper, Bayley stated, “We answer the phone and we try our best, especially in times of crisis.” Ian Gooding-Edghill, the chairman of CTO and minister of tourism and international transport for Barbados, expressed gratitude to Royal Caribbean and regional partners for their assistance to Jamaica and Haiti following the storm.
During the summit, he advocated for increased collaboration between the public and commercial sectors as well as growth plans that put local communities first and are supported by better data and connectivity. In addition to highlighting potential to increase job paths for Caribbean youth, including discussions with labour ministers and industry leaders to overcome barriers to workforce participation, Bayley recommended destinations to engage in “master planning” in order to effectively manage sustainable tourism development. He also mentioned the Royal Caribbean Group’s emphasis on shore power, resilient port infrastructure, and environmental technologies. Despite Hurricane Melissa’s disruption, organisers pointed out that the Caribbean saw millions of cruise tourists in 2025, highlighting the value of the sector to local economies and employment opportunities as well as the necessity of including resilience into future planning.
In addition to cultural activities such as a Wizard of Oz show and an appearance by Rover, the ship’s “Chief Dog Officer,” the summit also conveyed the idea that “tourism is everyone’s business.” Following the Iconic Summit, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley is pictured with CTO Chairman Ian Gooding Edghill.
