PHILIPSBURG:--- Head of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Rolando Brison has been invited to participate in a panel discussion on Best Practices for Crisis Management during the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference in Merida, Mexico this week.
The discussion will utilize the vantage points of both cruise executives and destinations to examine best practices of handling natural disasters and crises and provide an all-encompassing plan from preparation to proactive reaction, including housing and relief, evacuations, public relations, and communications with partners to supply resources.
Brison will join a top-level group of cruise executives including moderator Hon. Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, & Chairman, Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The other panelists are:
- Carlos Torres de Navarra, Vice President, Commercial Port Operations, Carnival Cruise Line
- Russell Daya, Executive Director, Marine & Port Operations, Port Developments & Itinerary Planning, Disney Cruise Line
- Albino Di Lorenzo, Vice President, Cruise Operations, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc.
- Federico Gonzalez, Associate Vice President, Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Brison was invited in part because of how he handled the immediate response from St. Maarten following Hurricane Irma, in particular handling large media outlets like NBC, CNN and having conducted high profile international interviews.
“It’s an honor to present for St. Maarten and humble by the opportunity to express the efforts of the Minister of Tourism Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher and government in general in St. Maarten’s recovery and the importance of reacting after such a disaster promptly,” Brison said. “Also, the importance of the cruise industry to our recovery, because if the cruise industry continues to support the region post-disaster, this will result in a trickle down affect to restart tourism economies in general. The presence of cruises creates confidence for potential stay-over visitors, the marine sector and the airline sector to restart its service to the islands,” he added.
According to Seatrade Cruise News, the importance of this year's Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference & Trade Show rises to an even higher level as the region recovers from hurricanes and earthquakes.
Hosted in Mérida, Mexico, Oct. 23-27, the event will assist recovery by helping to return cruise tourism and its economic benefits that are vital for many destinations to rebuild and rebound. Conference proceeds are going to support relief efforts, and best practices for crisis management will be a key topic.
Perhaps most important, according to the FCCA, the gathering will bring together people from across the region to battle through the adversities together.
Press Release from the Ministry of TEATT
