Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez joined fellow Caribbean tourism leaders this week in New York to discuss strategies aimed at strengthening the region’s tourism industry and maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly crowded global market.

Fernandez participated in a ministerial panel during Caribbean Week in New York that focused on country branding, competitiveness and tourism growth across the Caribbean.

During the discussion, he outlined Antigua and Barbuda’s approach to sustaining tourism growth, including efforts related to national branding, infrastructure development, public-private partnerships and improving the quality of life for residents.

The minister also addressed the issue of regional connectivity, arguing that Caribbean governments must take a more serious approach to reducing the high cost of intra-regional air travel.

Fernandez said the future of Caribbean tourism remains promising but stressed the importance of greater collaboration among regional governments in developing policies and strategies to expand the sector.

The panel formed part of activities marking Caribbean Week in New York, which brings together tourism officials, policymakers and industry stakeholders from across the region to discuss opportunities and challenges facing Caribbean tourism.