Antigua and Barbuda served as title sponsor of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Women in Tourism Leadership Dinner and Awards on Monday evening, as tourism officials gathered for Caribbean Week in New York.

The event brought together female leaders, entrepreneurs and tourism professionals from across the Caribbean to recognize the contributions of women to the region’s tourism industry and to encourage future generations of industry leaders.

Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez, in welcoming remarks, spoke about Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to recognizing women whose work contributes to the success of the country’s tourism sector.

The evening also featured a special prayer led by Colin C. James, chief executive officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, in honor of the women attending the event.

Organizers said the awards celebrated not only women in senior leadership positions but also the many women working across the tourism industry, including hoteliers, marketers, entrepreneurs, administrators and public servants whose efforts help drive the region’s tourism success.

The gathering also marked the launch of the CTO Foundation’s scholarship initiative, “From Her to Her: From Today’s Female Leaders to Tomorrow’s Tourism Stars,” aimed at supporting the development of future tourism professionals across the Caribbean.

The dinner formed part of activities for Caribbean Week in New York, which brings together tourism stakeholders from across the region to discuss industry trends, opportunities and challenges.