Antigua Cruise Port and Saint Lucia Cruise Port, subsidiaries of Global Ports Holding (GPH), are pleased to announce the launch of the second annual Cruise Connect conference, the premier Eastern Caribbean cruise forum, scheduled for September 16 in Antigua and September 18 in Saint Lucia. The Antigua event will be held at Royalton Antigua, Five Islands Village.
Cruise Connect 2025 will serve as a vital platform to convene cruise line executives, government leaders, tourism officials, port operators, and industry stakeholders. The forum will highlight infrastructure developments, strategic growth initiatives, sustainability priorities, and market insights for the 2025/2026 cruise season.
The Antigua forum will open with a keynote address from the Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, & Investment, setting the stage for a day of meaningful dialogue. After a brief welcome, executives of Antigua Cruise Port will present a forecast of the year ahead and will share projections for cruise itineraries, highlighting key opportunities and areas of growth.
The first panel discussion, “Future-Ready Destination: Realigning Antigua & Barbuda for Cruise Growth,” will feature Colin James, CEO of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, executives from Global Ports Holding, and executives from the local cruise community. Together, they will explore destination competitiveness, port readiness, the guest experience, and the importance of ground transportation alignment.
The second session, “Sailing in Sync: Partnerships Powering Cruise Success,” will bring together Ceylan Erzi, Marketing Director at GPH; Richard Diaz, Destination Operations Specialist at Virgin Voyages; representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, & Investments; and Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port & Director of Operations & Product Development for GPH Eastern Caribbean. This discussion will focus on regional positioning, the strategic vision of GPH, the cruise line outlook, public-
private partnerships, and sustainable tourism development. The program will conclude with an overview of highlighting key takeaways and collaborative opportunities, followed by a networking lunch. A similar program will take place in Saint Lucia on September 18, with adjustments to reflect the local port context and priorities.
The event will also include the Cruise Tourism Partner Expo, providing a platform for tour operators, shore excursion providers, and creative entrepreneurs to highlight their products and services in front of cruise executives, government leaders, media, and potential partners.
Mr. George expressed his excitement about the event. ““Cruise Connect 2025 provides a powerful opportunity to share our progress, align with industry partners, and reinforce Antigua’s role as a leading Caribbean cruise destination. Beyond strengthening partnerships, this forum allows us to showcase how our ongoing efforts in destination development and innovative product enhancement are elevating the visitor experience and positioning Antigua and Saint Lucia for sustainable growth in the global cruise industry.”
Lancelot Arnold, Regional Director of GPH Eastern Caribbean and General Manager, Saint Lucia Cruise Port, added, “Cruise Connect 2025 is more than a forum—it is a catalyst for progress across the region. By bringing together government leaders, cruise executives, and community partners, we are creating the space to chart a shared path forward. This year’s event will focus on innovation, sustainability, and building stronger synergies that ensure Antigua, Saint Lucia and the wider Eastern Caribbean remain competitive, compelling, and resilient destinations for the future of cruise tourism.”
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