St. Kitts and Nevis: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson is appointed as the new Chair of the OECS Council of Ministers: Tourism. With this the council envisions sustainable growth and regional integration, during a pivotal time of Caribbean Travel.
Marsha Henderson officially assumed the chairmanship of OECS Council of Ministers: Tourism during the opening ceremony of the Council’s 9th Meeting which was held in St. Kitts and Nevis from February 11 & 12, 2026. On this achievement she emphasised that tourism transcends being merely a sector of economic activity and has become the pulse of national economies across the OECS.
Reportedly, the event was hosted at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, that served as a central hub for regional collaboration. The ceremony welcomed a delegation of government dignitaries, tourism officials and industry partners dedicated to the sustainable development of the Eastern Caribbean.
Appointing Marsha Henderson as a new Chair of OECS has signalled towards a new chapter for the council as she officially assumes the role of incoming Chairwoman of the OECS Council of Ministers: Tourism. Acquiring her new role as Chair Marsha Henderson with the OECS Council of Ministers: Tourism, she will serve as the principal body guiding the region’s collective tourism strategy, with a strong focus on sustainability, connectivity and competitiveness.
During the opening ceremony, Henderson emphasised that the tourism transcends being merely a sector of economic activity and has now become the pulse of national economies across the OECS. She underscored that tourism remains the most significant export of the region. It directly influences employment, foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure development and community livelihoods.
Henderson further stated that no single member state can afford to operate in isolation. Their competitiveness, resilience and relevance will increasingly depend on how well they function as a region.
She acknowledged the strengthening of regional integration and urged OECS member states to move beyond traditional, siloed approaches to hospitality and embraced a coordinated, data-driven regional tourism industry, as the one that is integrated by design, resilient by strategy and capable of withstanding the volatility of the global market.
Chair Henderson further outlined a two-day agenda focused on priorities that require collective regional action in enhancing the intra-regional connectivity to ensure that the OECS functions as a truly connected and accessible space for both regional and international travellers. It should harmonise investment and sustainability standards to attract responsible investment that protects environmental assets, strengthens communities and drives equitable growth. Also, it should leverage the shared data and market intelligence to anticipate global tourism trends and position the OECS as a proactive leader in the global tourism landscapes.