Along with Heads of State, the forum will include FCCA member line presidents and CEOs for both a networking reception and a meeting on ways to work together on destination and region specific topics, including year-round traffic, employment opportunities, purchasing, sourcing and developing strategic partnerships.

Prime Minister Chastanet also delivered an address at the opening ceremony of the FCCA Conference and Trade Show on Nov. 6, where he implored executives to leap collaboratively and commended cruise lines for continued confidence in the Caribbean.

“There is power in being able to come together, in us having this opportunity to identify the issues through amiable discussion and to strive to find real solutions to those problems,” Mr. Chastanet said. “The future of the cruise industry is equally dependant on the strength of every island.”

The prime minister is joined at the conference by representatives of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA), the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), and officials from the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). Also part of the Saint Lucia contingent are representatives from the local Cruise-Tour Operators and Destination Management Companies.

The ​FCCA ​Conference, chaired by Michelle Paige, Chairperson of FCCA, ​is ​a four-day ​event ​designed ​to ​foster ​a ​better ​understanding ​of ​the ​inner ​workings ​of ​the ​cruise ​industry and help attendees improve their cruise tourism business. The conference presents opportunities to develop relationships with, promote products to, and learn from the executives from FCCA’s 18 member lines who decide where ships call, what is sold and used on board, and how to invest in destinations and infrastructure.