ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands (February 17, 2026) — The future of Caribbean economic stability lies not in the boardroom but in the soil, declared Dona Regis‑Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), on Saturday.
Addressing a capacity crowd at the opening of the 54th annual AgriFest on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the region’s top tourism official delivered a powerful reminder that modern tourism success remains inseparable from the Caribbean’s agrarian roots.
Framing the three-day showcase of agriculture and technology as a reckoning with regional identity, Regis-Prosper challenged the idea that tourism should eclipse local production.
“Before there were hotels, airports, seaports (and) cruise ships, there was land, soil and cultivation,” she said. “Tourism really began in a garden.”
A foundation of identity
Regis-Prosper, whose career includes work on St. Croix-based energy projects in the 1990s, praised the U.S. Virgin Islands for sustaining agriculture as a core pillar of its social and economic fabric rather than treating it as a secondary industry.
“Here in St. Croix, agriculture is not a side story. It is the foundation of your global identity,” she said, referencing the historical legacies of St. Croix’s sugar, St. Lucia’s bananas, Jamaica’s coffee, and Trinidad & Tobago’s cocoa.
She noted that today’s travelers increasingly seek sensory authenticity over traditional luxury markers — a shift that places local farmers at the center of the tourism value chain.
“Visitors don’t always remember square footage, décor or thread counts,” Regis-Prosper said. “They remember taste, smell, storytelling — or, as I like to say, truth-telling. And they remember how they felt.”
Economic indicators: “Every room is filled”
That vision of agro-tourism was reinforced by real-time data shared by Jennifer Matarangas‑King, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands, who confirmed that AgriFest has become one of the Territory’s busiest tourism weekends.
“Outside of the Crucian Christmas Festival, Agrifest is the biggest weekend that we have,” Matarangas-King said. “Right now, every room is filled. You can’t get a rental car. I think people are probably sleeping on the beach at this point — so that’s good for us.”
She reported that three cruise ships were to deliver more than 8,000 visitors over the holiday weekend, joining thousands of residents and diaspora members, and emphasized that the Territory’s farm-to-table reputation is an authentic cultural asset rather than a marketing trend. “Farm-to-table is not a movement here,” said Matarangas-King. “It’s a way of life that spans generations.”
Policy and resilience
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. used the platform to call for a shift in how the Territory approaches land use, consumption and food security. Praising Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Louis Petersen for his long-standing leadership, the governor framed land ownership as a pathway to generational wealth and resilience.
“We all need to think think about how we live, how we eat and what we grow,” Bryan said. “Good food grows in the yard. Actually, everything grows here.”
He noted that his administration continues to acquire land specifically for preservation and agricultural use, urging young people to see the “garden” as a foundational asset.
The path forward
Referring to the CTO’s Reimagine Plan, which highlights sustainable and regenerative tourism, Regis-Prosper emphasized that technology must serve as an ally to strengthen long-term resilience. “Agriculture plus technology plus strategic foresight equals resilience,” she said. “And resilience is something that St. Croix knows well.”
Her closing message served as a regional directive: “Tourism should never replace the garden. Tourism should protect it.”
Prior to the opening ceremony, the CTO delegation — including Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism, and Marvelle Sealy, Executive Assistant and Office Manager — met with Governor Bryan, Commissioner Matarangas-King and RoseAnne Farrington, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism, to discuss regional cooperation and the expansion of agro-tourism linkages across the Caribbean.
L–R at Government House, St. Croix: Marvelle Sealy, Executive Assistant and Office Manager, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO Secretary-General and CEO; RoseAnne Farrington, USVI Deputy Commissioner of Tourism and Deputy Chair, CTO Cruise Committee; Albert Bryan Jr., Governor of the USVI; and Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism, CTO
CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper (right) presents a handcrafted salad bowl to Jennifer Matarangas-King, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands at Agrifest 2026.
Today, in an historic ceremony in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald J. Trump formally ratified the Charter of the Board of Peace — establishing it as an official international organization. President Trump, who is serving as the Board’s Chairman, was joined by Founding Members representing countries around the world who have committed to building a secure and prosperous future for Gaza that delivers lasting peace, stability, and opportunity for its people.
It’s another pivotal step forward in realizing President Trump’s vision of transforming Gaza from a region plagued by conflict and despair into one defined by opportunity, hope, and vitality. The Board of Peace stands ready to mobilize global resources, enforce accountability, and guide the implementation of the next critical phases of demilitarization, governance reform, and large-scale rebuilding.
President Trump: “This Board has the chance to be one of the most consequential bodies ever created, and It’s my enormous honor to serve as its Chairman… Today, the first steps toward a brighter day for the Middle East and a much safer future for the world are unfolding right before your very eyes. Together, we are in a position to have any credible chance… to end decades of suffering, stop generations of hatred and bloodshed, and forge a beautiful, everlasting, and glorious peace for that region.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “We are here today because of President Trump’s vision. If we go back just a few months ago, people thought what was happening in Gaza was impossible to solve… No one thought that that would ever come to a resolution without more fighting and more bloodshed along the way… But President Trump had the vision and the courage to dream the impossible, to believe that it was doable, and to pursue it with all of his heart.”
High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov: “Who would’ve thought two years ago that we would be sitting here with this group of countries, with this leadership, giving the people of Gaza a new chance?… For too long, Gazans, Palestinians, and Israelis have lived with conflict, with death, with destruction. Now, the page turns.”
Special Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff: “We have achieved a peace deal in Gaza. We have brought the hostages home… And maybe most importantly, we have created a sense of hope for what the future can bring in Gaza and all other places where the Board of Peace will operate. And I am so honored, Mr. President, to have worked on this on your behalf.”
Jared Kushner: “85% of the GDP of Gaza has been aid for a long time. That’s not sustainable. It doesn’t give these people dignity; it doesn’t give them hope. And so we want to use free market economy principles — a lot of what President Trump spoke about that he’s doing in America — we want to bring the same mindset, the same approach, to a place like Gaza to give these people the ability to thrive and have a good life… If we believe that peace is possible then peace really can be possible.”
BARBADOS (FNN) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on Monday reaffirmed that the region remains fully open for business, emphasizing its resilience and operational stability following temporary airspace disruptions linked to geopolitical developments in Venezuela.
CTO officials said the organization and its 25 member destinations closely monitored the situation over the weekend and worked with industry partners to minimize traveler disruptions.
Travel Operations Remain Stable Cruise and air travel throughout the Caribbean continue to operate normally, with advance bookings remaining strong, according to the CTO. Airline partners added capacity to accommodate affected travelers, while hotels and resorts demonstrated flexibility in supporting guests whose plans were impacted.
Tourism leaders noted that the Caribbean has extensive experience managing external disruptions and has consistently demonstrated the strength and adaptability of its tourism sector, which serves as a vital economic engine for the region.
CTO Encourages Travelers to Proceed With Plans The organization encouraged travelers to move forward with their travel plans, assuring visitors and industry partners that destinations across the Caribbean are safe, accessible, and prepared to welcome guests.
CTO also expressed gratitude to airline partners and the accommodations sector for their swift response, emphasizing the collaborative effort that ensured continuity for travelers.
2026 Theme Highlights Unified Caribbean Experience Looking ahead, the CTO highlighted its 2026 theme, “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” which underscores the region’s shared identity and diverse offerings. From world-class resorts and boutique hotels to eco-adventures, heritage festivals, and renowned cuisine, the Caribbean continues to offer a seamless and welcoming travel experience.
Beyond its attractions, CTO leaders emphasized the region’s defining characteristic — its people — whose warmth and hospitality ensure visitors feel at home while exploring the Caribbean’s rich cultures and natural beauty.
MIAMI, Fla. (FNN) — Dr. Rudolph Moise, a distinguished Air Force Colonel, former Haiti Ambassador-at-Large, and global health care leader, joined the Jack Brewer Foundation on a humanitarian mission to Jamaica to support communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
Emergency Relief Mission
Moise joined a team of 20 volunteers on a chartered humanitarian flight to Montego Bay, Jamaica, as part of the Hurricane Melissa response effort. The mission, sponsored by the Jack Brewer Foundation, delivered more than 15,000 pounds of critical aid, including tents, sleeping bags, batteries, pallets of meat, and food supplies intended for the regions hit hardest by the storm.
According to a posting on The Jack Brewer Foundation’s website, the organization is also coordinating an emergency evacuation and rescue mission for U.S. citizens stranded in Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Working with government partners and humanitarian agencies, the foundation plans to facilitate safe passage for registered passengers on a special evacuation flight scheduled to depart Wednesday from Montego Bay International Airport (MBJ) to Miami International Airport (MIA). Priority is being given to families, the elderly, and individuals with medical needs, and all travelers must register individually to ensure proper documentation and seat assignments.
Medical Assistance and Community Support
During the relief mission, Moise provided medical assistance to several individuals in need. He noted the resilience and optimism of Jamaican residents despite widespread damage and loss.
“We came to the Caribbean nation of Jamaica to provide support to its beloved people during this critical time,” Moise said, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in disaster response. “The Jamaican people are incredibly resilient. This is an all-hands-on-deck effort to confront this crisis, and despite the tremendous losses many have endured, most still managed to greet us with a smile.”
Video clips and photographs from the trip document Moise’s work alongside volunteers as they distributed supplies and assisted local families.
A History of Disaster Response
This relief effort is not Moise’s first humanitarian deployment. In January 2010, he traveled to Haiti with a Disaster Rescue Team just two days after the catastrophic earthquake struck the country. His team saved 11 lives during that mission.
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