Bermuda has rejoined the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) after several years of absence.

The CTO announced last week that Bermuda’s incorporation was achieved through a collaborative partnership with the Government of Bermuda and the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA). 

With its unique, distinctive attributes, Bermuda further strengthens the organisation’s ability to promote the depth of the Caribbean experience, as it seeks to explore new growth opportunities.

With Bermuda’s membership, CTO marks yet another milestone in its efforts to expand its reach and influence in the regional tourism sector.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Bermuda back to the CTO,” declared CTO chairman, Kenneth Bryan. 

In a statement making the announcement, Bryan, who also serves as Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands, added, “as we continue our focus on repositioning the region in the new tourism environment, I am heartened when destinations like Bermuda express their confidence in the CTO by rejoining at this time. We are truly excited to engage and collaborate with Minister Vance Campbell and his team.”

For his part, Bermudian Tourism Minister Vance Campbell acknowledged the importance of regional collaboration during this recovery period. 

“As our tourism sector continues to recover following the difficult COVID years, it is important that we have access to and work with similar jurisdictions to share ideas that have been successful and can benefit Bermuda. Our membership in the CTO will be of great value as we continue to build a successful, sustainable tourism industry that helps grow our economy and provide exciting and empowering careers for Bermudians,” he said.

The BTA, through its CEO Tracy Berkeley, is represented on the CTO board of directors while Campbell becomes a member of the CTO Ministerial Council, its highest decision body.

CTO member countries represent the Dutch-, English- and French-speaking Caribbean, with the organisation’s programming focusing on sustainable regional tourism development.

The Barbados-headquartered CTO is the region’s tourism development agency encompassing a myriad of private sector allied members.

CTO’s vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm weather destination. Its purpose is best encapsulated through its vision: ‘Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean’.

Among the benefits to its members, the organisation provides specialised support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning and execution, and research & information technology.