Caribbean Ports Set to Welcome the Second Annual Cruise Connect Conference

Antigua and Saint Lucia are set to host the second annual Cruise Connect conference, organized by Antigua Cruise Port and Saint Lucia Cruise Port, both part of Global Ports Holding (GPH). The event will take place on September 16 in Antigua and September 18 in Saint Lucia, held at the Royalton Antigua, Five Islands Village.

Cruise Connect 2025 aims to gather cruise line executives, government leaders, tourism officials, port operators, and industry stakeholders. The forum will focus on infrastructure developments, strategic growth initiatives, sustainability priorities, and market insights related to the upcoming 2025-26 cruise season.

Lancelot Arnold, regional director of GPH Eastern Caribbean and general manager of Saint Lucia Cruise Port, emphasized that this year’s conference serves as a catalyst for progress across the region. He mentioned the goal of creating partnerships and fostering innovation and sustainability to keep the Eastern Caribbean as a competitive destination in the cruise tourism sector.

The event will feature the Cruise Tourism Partner Expo, allowing tour operators, shore excursion providers, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services.

The opening session will include a keynote address from Charles Fernandez, the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment. Following this, executives will present forecasts for the year ahead, pointing out growth opportunities. Panel discussions will cover topics such as "Future-Ready Destination: Realigning Antigua & Barbuda for Cruise Growth" and "Sailing in Sync: Partnerships Powering Cruise Success." A networking lunch will conclude the event, along with an overview of key takeaways and collaborative opportunities.

Saint Lucia will see a similar program on September 18, adapted to the local context and priorities.

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