Director of the Department of Tourism, Rosa Harris, has become the first Caymanian to be celebrated at the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards.
The awards honour people who have made extraordinary contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry in the Caribbean and beyond.
Harris, a 23-year veteran of the industry, was among a prestigious group of winners at the Loews Coral Cables Hotel in Miami on Saturday, 2 Dec.
Other honourees included:
- Nicola Madden-Greig, president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
- Michele Paige, president of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.
- Joy Jibrilu, CEO of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board.
- Beverly Nicolson-Doty, former Caribbean Tourism Organization chairman and commissioner of the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
- Dona Regis-Prosper, the first female secretary-general and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Harris has achieved many milestones during her time with the Department of Tourism, according to a government press release.
Under her leadership, the School of Hospitality Studies opened in 2014. In 2019, Cayman achieved the most stay-over arrivals in its history – 500,000 visitors.
She led the transformation of the Cayman Islands brand with the award-winning ‘Dream in Cayman’ campaign.
Harris was also at the forefront of Cayman’s tourism recovery strategy post-COVID-19 pandemic, seeing the destination surpass its year-to-date arrival targets for 2023.
As well as working as director of tourism, the tourism director chairs the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s board of directors.
The regional body has responsibility for spearheading policy recommendations across the Caribbean and driving awareness of the region globally.
Under Harris’ stewardship, the organisation has recalibrated its leadership and priorities, along with the council of ministers, the press release said.
Related Videos
