The Caribbean Tourism Organization is strengthening its commitment to women’s leadership and tourism education with the launch of a new scholarship initiative titled “From Her to Her: From Today’s Female Leaders to Tomorrow’s Tourism Stars.”
The programme, introduced through the CTO Scholarship Foundation, is designed to provide annual financial support and mentorship opportunities for women pursuing careers in Caribbean tourism, hospitality, sustainability, communications, and related industries.
A New Initiative Focused on Women in Caribbean Tourism
The “From Her to Her” initiative will officially launch during the Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Dinner & Awards, taking place on June 1 during Caribbean Week in New York 2026 at the InterContinental New York Times Square.
The scholarship programme aims to create stronger pathways for women seeking long-term careers and leadership opportunities within the Caribbean tourism industry — one of the region’s most important economic sectors.
According to Dona Regis-Prosper, the initiative reflects both a professional priority and a personal mission to help develop the next generation of female tourism leaders across the Caribbean.
The programme will be funded through proceeds generated from the Women in Tourism Leadership Dinner & Awards event, with support already pledged by partners including Virgin Voyages, Diamonds International, TRÈFLE, and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.
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Expanding Educational Opportunities Across the Caribbean
The scholarship initiative builds upon the broader mission of the CTO Scholarship Foundation, which has supported Caribbean tourism education and professional development since 1997.
The Foundation provides scholarships and grants to Caribbean nationals pursuing studies in:
- Tourism and hospitality
- Sustainable tourism development
- Public relations and communications
- Tourism research and data science
- Human resource development
- Language training and destination management
For the 2026 academic year, the Foundation is offering:
- Scholarships of up to US$5,000 for bachelor’s and advanced tourism studies
- Study grants of up to US$2,500 for professional certificates and tourism-related programmes
- Specialized scholarships in sustainable tourism destination management in partnership with George Washington University
The Foundation also administers several legacy scholarships honoring influential Caribbean tourism leaders, including the Jean Holder Memorial Scholarship, Audrey Palmer Hawks Memorial Scholarship, Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship, and Bonita Morgan Memorial Scholarship.
Strengthening Female Leadership in Caribbean Tourism
The launch of “From Her to Her” comes at a time when regional tourism organizations are placing increasing focus on gender equity, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and workforce resilience.
Industry data suggests women represent a significant portion of the Caribbean tourism workforce, particularly within hospitality operations, wellness tourism, culinary experiences, communications, and community tourism initiatives. However, tourism leaders continue to highlight the need for greater access to mentorship, education, funding, and executive leadership opportunities for women across the region.
The CTO says the initiative is intended not only to support education, but also to create a long-term mentorship and legacy-building platform where today’s female tourism leaders can directly inspire and guide future generations.
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Investing in the Future of Caribbean Tourism
Since awarding its first scholarships in 1998, the CTO Scholarship Foundation has provided more than 88 major scholarships and over 137 study grants to Caribbean nationals, contributing more than US$858,000 toward tourism education and professional development.
As the Caribbean tourism industry continues evolving toward sustainability, wellness tourism, technology integration, and experience-driven travel, the organization believes investing in education and leadership development will remain critical to maintaining the region’s global competitiveness.
The launch of “From Her to Her” also reflects a broader movement throughout the Caribbean tourism sector toward more inclusive and community-focused development strategies — ensuring that women continue playing a leading role in shaping the future of tourism across the region.
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