CHTA CEO calls for stronger leadership pathways for women in Tourism

Published on March 16, 2026

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.