As Andrea Franklin’s term as chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Board of Directors approaches its conclusion next week, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. CEO is reflecting on the responsibility of regional leadership and the importance of a stronger, more integrated Caribbean.
In a profile in CTO’s 2026 edition of From the Sea Suite, Franklin says regional partnership must go beyond meetings and memoranda to “showing up for one another in times of challenge, aligning policies where possible and delivering outcomes that strengthen the Caribbean as a whole.”
Franklin also points to people-centered leadership as essential to the region’s long-term tourism growth, stressing empathy, grounded decision-making and ensuring communities see tangible benefits from tourism.
As her term concludes, Franklin says her measure of success is “a stronger, more engaged organization and meaningful progress on the CTO’s Reimagine Plan,” with member countries recognizing the value of CTO’s work and feeling motivated to participate.
“Being a woman in leadership has taught me to listen intently, to lead with both strength and fairness, and to let integrity guide every decision,” she said.
Read Andrea Franklin’s profile in CTO’s From the Sea Suite here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/301446582.
