Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. CEO Andrea Franklin and British Virgin Islands Junior Minister Luce Hodge-Smith received top honors at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Awards in New York. The event also recognized industry leaders, launched a new scholarship fund, and celebrated women shaping Caribbean tourism.
NEW YORK – Barbados’ top tourism executive Andrea Franklin and Luce Hodge-Smith, Junior Minister of Tourism and Culture for the British Virgin Islands, received top honors during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) third annual Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Awards held at the InterContinental New York Times Square during Caribbean Week in New York on Monday.
Franklin, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors, was selected by her peers as Director of Tourism of the Year 2026. Hodge-Smith earned the Minister/Commissioner of Tourism of the Year award following similar voting by regional tourism leaders.
Sponsored by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, the awards celebrate excellence in visionary leadership, destination growth, regional tourism advancement, and the ability to inspire the next generation of women in the tourism industry.
The evening featured an inspiring keynote address by Christine VallsManaging Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at United Airlines. Drawing from her own leadership journey, Valls highlighted the importance of empowering women, fostering innovation, and building strong partnerships to drive the future of tourism.
Andrea Franklin, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors, accepts the Director of Tourism of the Year award from CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper.
A special highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Secretary-General’s Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Lisa IndarExecutive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Dr. Indar was recognized for her outstanding contributions to promoting healthier, safer tourism and advancing sustainable tourism development throughout the Caribbean.
The event also introduced six distinguished women into the event Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Hall of Famehonoring their lasting impact on the region’s tourism sector:
- Valerie DamaseauCommissioner of Tourism and Culture, Saint Martin
- Marsha HendersonMinister of Tourism, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Rosa HarrisDirector of Tourism, Cayman Islands
- Beverly Nicholson DotyCEO, Figment Design
- Petra RoachDirector of Sales and Marketing, Wyndham Grand Barbados
- Karolin TroubetzkoyExecutive Director of Marketing and Operations, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts, St. Lucia
In a major initiative unveiled during the evening, CTO launched a new scholarship fund dedicated to empowering the next generation of Caribbean women in tourism. The initiative, titled “From Her to Her: From Today’s Female Leaders to Tomorrow’s Tourism Stars,” raised US$13,000 through a live fundraising auction.
The scholarship program will provide annual support to a promising female student from the Caribbean pursuing studies and a career in tourism. All proceeds will benefit the initiative through the CTO Foundation, helping to develop future leaders in one of the region’s most important economic sectors.
Guests also received an exclusive preview of “From the Sea Suite” CTO’s new women’s leadership magazine profiling remarkable women across Caribbean tourism. The publication is scheduled to make its official print debut at CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Guyana, taking place October 5–9, 2026.
The awards ceremony underscored the growing influence of women in shaping Caribbean tourism and highlighted the CTO’s commitment to fostering leadership, innovation, and opportunity across the region.
