Kenneth Bryan takes over as CTO president

16-09-22

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) has a new chairman. Cayman Islands Minister of Tourism and Transport Kenneth Bryan was this week elected as the new chairman of the inter-governmental body at the organisation's Annual General Meeting in the Cayman Islands.

Minister Bryan, a former television journalist and youth organiser, assumes the chairmanship of the CTO's Council of Ministers for the next two years and succeeds outgoing chairman Senator Lisa Cummins, Barbados' Minister of Tourism and International Transport.

"I am honoured and excited to take over the chairmanship of the CTO because I recognise, as do the other members, that there is a need for some reform and restructuring, particularly with regard to air transport and marketing," Bryan said.

"So I am ready to take on the challenge, in collaboration with my regional colleagues, to find a new way forward, as well as to address any issues we have within the organisation to improve efficiency and focus," he added. 

Bryan praised Minister Cummins for overseeing the CTO's chairmanship during the "difficult period" of the COVID-19 pandemic: "Thanks to the previous chair, Lisa Cummins, for the hard work she did during a very difficult period, especially in managing a very important organisation when the whole region was facing tourism difficulties, brought on by the pandemic. 

Rosa Harris, the experienced and accomplished Cayman Islands Director of Tourism, will serve as Chair of the CTO's Board of Directors for the next two years.

Harris described the Cayman Islands' role as a serious responsibility, especially given the need to increase the region's visibility as it recovers from the impact of the pandemic.

Cooperation, information sharing and networking will be key, she explained: "Being able to reach out, to listen, to learn, to understand the uniqueness of Caribbean nations... that's a strength that we bring as the Cayman Islands being the chair of the CTO. We are going to make sure that we represent and that all the voices of our members are heard."