Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) CEO Vanessa Ledesma called for stronger leadership pathways for women across the Caribbean hospitality and tourism sector while delivering keynote remarks at the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association’s (SLHTA) International Women’s Day Brunch on Sunday, March 8.
Ledesma’s remarks reinforced CHTA’s International Women’s Day message, encouraging the industry to move beyond recognition and take tangible steps to advance the women who power Caribbean hospitality and tourism.
Ledesma emphasized that women contribute across every pillar of the hospitality and tourism ecosystem, from hotel leadership and culinary arts to guest services, education, attractions and destination management: “Caribbean hospitality and tourism has always been built by the hands and vision of extraordinary women. What we must do now is be intentional about building leadership pipelines, creating inclusive workplaces, and making sure women’s contributions are visible and celebrated.”
Speaking in the only country in the world named after a woman, Ledesma paid special tribute to Saint Lucian women who have helped shape the region’s hospitality landscape, including Berthia Parle, CHTA’s first female President; Karolin Troubetzkoy, the association’s second female president; and Mrs. Joyce Destang, whose vision built Bay Gardens Resorts into the largest female-owned hotel group in the Caribbean.
“The Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association has created a meaningful platform to bring women from across the tourism sector together to share their experiences and perspectives,” said Ledesma, who also recognized Saint Lucian culinary talent, including 2024 Caribbean Pastry Chef of the Year Emmany Hippolyte, and highlighted CHTA’s Taste of the Caribbean competition as a platform for professional development.
During her address, Ledesma outlined three areas where CHTA is calling on members and industry stakeholders to take meaningful action: mentorship and leadership development, including nominating emerging female professionals for the CHTA Young Leaders Forum; building inclusive workplaces that retain and develop talent; and increasing the visibility of women as leaders and spokespeople across the industry.
She spotlighted CHTA’s own progress in this area, noting the association’s Young Leaders program and its recent decision to reserve two board seats for young professionals, including Yatsuri Marshall of Bay Gardens Resorts, who represents Saint Lucia on the CHTA Board. Three of the past five CHTA presidents have been women, and CHTA’s work in the region is currently led by President Sanovnik Destang, who also serves as Executive Director of the woman-owned and operated Bay Gardens Resorts in Saint Lucia.
Ledesma, who has spent more than 25 years in the industry, closed with a call to action, urging leaders to visit local schools and share their stories with students to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in hospitality and tourism.
“International Women’s Day is not only a moment of recognition; it is a moment to lead,” said Ledesma. “We invite every member and partner across the region to join us in turning commitment into action.”
Throughout the month of March, CHTA will spotlight its calls to action through its channels, inviting ongoing engagement from members and the broader industry.
