AGP Executive Report

Tourism Push (Off-Season): Nevis has launched its “Spring Into Summer” campaign, rolling out seasonal hotel offers, curated experiences, and cultural events to keep visitor arrivals steady during the quieter months. Food & Festival Calendar: Nevis is gearing up for the Nevis Mango Festival (July 2–5) with chef-led dinners, beach crawls, cooking competitions, and tastings—plus a Miami promo boost at Food, Wine & Fete. Music Festival Build-Up: St. Kitts Music Festival (June 25–27) gets a culinary add-on with the “It’s All About the Sauce” cook-off in Basseterre (June 26, 11am–5pm), spotlighting local agro-processing. Regional Tourism Policy: CTO unveiled a Tourism Supply Side Initiative aimed at stronger economic retention and resilience across the Caribbean, with CARICOM’s St. Kitts and Nevis leadership backing the push. Safety on the Trails: A Royal Caribbean crew member, Wang Zyuan (33), was found dead after going missing on a solo hike on Mount Liamuiga; authorities urge guided hikes and better preparedness. Branding & Trade: St. Kitts and Nevis launched “Explore, Live and Invest,” featuring on major airline screens, while the SKTA’s 2026 SKY Programme (“St. Kitts Your Way”) opens preferred rates for travel agents.

Nevis Mango Festival Promotion: Nevis Tourism Authority reps brought the Nevis Mango Festival to Miami’s Food, Wine & Fete, reaching 1,000+ patrons with mango-infused ice lollies and QR sign-ups—another push to grow culinary tourism in the U.S. Tragic Hike Outcome: A Royal Caribbean crew member, Wang Zyuan (33), was found dead after going missing while hiking alone on Mount Liamuiga; police say investigations continue and urge hikers to use guides and share routes. Destination Marketing Boost: St. Kitts and Nevis launched “Explore St. Kitts and Nevis,” with ads running on major airlines’ in-flight screens, built around “Explore, Live and Invest” to attract travellers and investors. Cruise Sector Update: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says cruise arrivals are rebounding strongly, with 918,198 passengers welcomed so far, and Port Zante set to become a key turnaround port in 2027. Regional Tourism Policy Warning: Henderson told CTO Week that carrying capacity studies should guide cruise calls and investment to avoid oversaturating and diluting the visitor experience. Trade Support for Agents: The SKTA rolled out the 2026 “SKY Programme—St. Kitts Your Way,” offering travel agents preferred rates and site inspections through Dec. 15. Health & Community: NATMA launched its first-ever medical mission in St. Kitts and Nevis, delivering free consultations and care June 1–4.

Tragic Safety Reminder for Hikers: A Royal Caribbean crew member, Wang Zyuan (33), was found dead after going missing while hiking alone on St. Kitts’ Mount Liamuiga; police say investigations continue and ask the public to avoid speculation. Tourism Marketing Push: St. Kitts and Nevis launched “Explore St. Kitts and Nevis,” with the destination featured on major airline screens (including British Airways, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic and United) under “Explore, Live and Invest.” Cruise Sector Update: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says cruise arrivals are rebounding strongly, with 918,198 passengers welcomed so far, and Port Zante set to become a key turnaround port from November 2027. Regional Policy Focus: Henderson warned at CTO Week that destinations need carrying capacity planning to avoid oversaturation and protect the visitor experience. Awards & Visibility: Henderson was inducted into the CTO Hall of Fame at Women in Leadership Awards, while St. Kitts also gained major exposure during Caribbean Week via PIX11 TV features. Trade & Product Development: The SKTA rolled out its 2026 SKY Programme (“St. Kitts Your Way”) for travel agents, and officials highlighted the 2026 SKY trade push alongside future product direction. Community & Health: NATMA launched its first medical mission in St. Kitts and Nevis, offering free consultations and services June 1–4.

Tragic Hike Outcome: A Chinese cruise passenger, 33-year-old Wang Zyuan, was found dead on June 1 after going missing on St. Kitts’ Mount Liamuiga trail on May 27; police say investigations are ongoing and have asked the public to avoid speculation. Cruise Momentum: St. Kitts expects continued off-season cruise strength, with Port Zante scheduled to host more than 20 ships from June 1 to Sept. 30, supporting local business activity. Tourism Push in New York: During Caribbean Week, St. Kitts Tourism Authority and Minister Marsha T. Henderson drew attention through regional forums and TV exposure, including Henderson’s CTO Week Women in Leadership Hall of Fame induction and a SKY trade programme launch. Branding & Trade Growth: The “Explore St. Kitts and Nevis” campaign is rolling out via major airline screens, while the 2026 SKY Programme (“St. Kitts Your Way”) offers travel agents preferred rates and perks at participating properties. Health Access Boost: NATMA launched its first medical mission to St. Kitts and Nevis (June 1–4), offering free consultations and care across both islands. Infrastructure for Visitors & Locals: Nevis is advancing water security with a new 500,000-gallon storage tank at Stoney Hill.

Tourism Safety & Search Update: Authorities say Chinese cruise passenger Wang Zyuan, 33, was found dead after going missing nearly a week ago while hiking the Mount Liamuiga trail alone; police are still investigating the circumstances and have asked the public to avoid speculation. Trade & Travel Sales: The St. Kitts Tourism Authority launched the 2026 “SKY Programme—St. Kitts Your Way,” running June 1 to Dec. 15, offering travel agents preferred rates at 10 properties plus site inspections and island tours. Cruise Momentum: St. Kitts expects strong off-season cruise traffic, with Port Zante scheduled to host more than 20 ships from June 1 to Sept. 30, as the tourism ministry reports a rebound toward pre-pandemic levels. Regional Tourism Strategy: At CTO Week in New York, Minister Marsha Henderson highlighted performance gains and Port Zante’s planned role as a turnaround port from Nov. 2027. Community Health: NATMA kicked off its first-ever medical mission in St. Kitts and Nevis, delivering free consultations and treatment June 1–4. Public Health Alert: Government issued strengthened Ebola precautions, advising against non-essential travel to 12 high-risk African nations and warning some arrivals may be denied entry.

Cruise & Tourism Update: St. Kitts expects a strong off-season cruise run, with Port Zante set to host more than 20 ships from June 1 to Sept. 30, as officials push for year-round cruising and report 918,198 passengers welcomed so far. CTO Week Strategy: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson told Caribbean Tourism Organisation leaders in New York that the Federation is seeing a rebound in airlift and visitor spend, and outlined plans including Port Zante’s turnaround role starting in 2027. Safety on the Trails: A Chinese cruise passenger, Wang Zyuan, was found dead on Mount Liamuiga after going missing while hiking alone; police say the investigation continues. Health & Community: NATMA launched its first medical mission in St. Kitts and Nevis, offering free consultations and treatment June 1–4 plus about US$20,000 in donated supplies. Public Health Advisory: Authorities tightened Ebola precautions, warning against non-essential travel to 12 high-risk African countries and noting possible entry denials for arrivals from those areas. Destination Buzz: St. Kitts earned four World Travel Awards nominations, and Nevis film “Pan Gyul” won two honours at Diversity in Cannes.

Cruise & Tourism Momentum: St. Kitts is set for a strong off-season cruise run, with Port Zante expecting more than 20 ship calls from June 1–Sept 30 and officials pushing a year-round cruise goal. Tourism Leadership & Global Push: Minister Marsha Henderson and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority are active at Caribbean Week in New York, while St. Kitts also picked up four 2026 World Travel Awards nominations (cultural, dive, adventure, and tourist board). Health & Community Services: NATMA launched its first-ever medical mission to St. Kitts and Nevis (June 1–4), offering free consultations and donating about US$20,000 in medicines and supplies, with clinic stops in Basseterre, St. Paul’s, Brown Hill, and Charlestown. Safety on the Trails: A Chinese cruise passenger, Wang Zyuan, was found dead after nearly a week missing on the Mt. Liamuiga hike; police say the investigation continues. Public Health Precautions: The government tightened Ebola measures, warning against travel to 12 high-risk African nations and warning some arrivals may be denied entry. Regional Connectivity Watch: Caribbean Airlines’ St. Kitts withdrawal is under scrutiny after the tourism minister said there were no prior consultations, while talks continue to secure alternative airlift. Nevis Tourism Challenge: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley highlighted seasonality as the core tourism hurdle and pointed to festivals and regional marketing as key fixes.

Cruise Comeback: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says St. Kitts’ cruise sector is rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, with 918,198 passengers welcomed so far and plans to strengthen the destination as a transit port in 2027. Off-Season Boost: Two major calls brought more than 14,000 passengers and crew to Port Zante, including Star of the Seas and Celebrity Beyond—proof the island can still draw big ships outside peak season. World Travel Awards Push: St. Kitts and Nevis earned four 2026 World Travel Awards nominations (Caribbean Cultural, Dive, Adventure Destination, and Caribbean Tourist Board), with public voting open online. Airlift Uncertainty: Caribbean Airlines’ withdrawal from St. Kitts was announced without consultation, and the government says it’s now in talks with another airline to protect regional connectivity. Ebola Precautions: Authorities tightened border and public health measures, warning against non-essential travel to 12 high-risk African countries and warning travellers may be denied entry. Hiking Safety Tragedy: A 33-year-old Chinese hiker, Wang Zyuan, was found dead after a five-day Mt. Liamuiga search. Community & Culture: Nevis film milestone—short “Pan Gyul” won two awards at Diversity in Cannes and secured an ABFF selection; plus a NATMA free clinic schedule runs June 1–4 across St. Kitts and Nevis. Local Living: Nevis is set to commission a new 500,000-gallon water storage tank in Stoney Hill, supporting more reliable potable water.

Tourism Recognition: St. Kitts and Nevis has earned four nominations at the 2026 World Travel Awards—Caribbean Cultural Destination, Caribbean Dive Destination, Caribbean Tourist Board, and Caribbean Adventure Destination—inviting public voting at worldtravelawards.com. Cruise Surge: The Federation welcomed more than 14,000 passengers and crew off-season as Star of the Seas and Celebrity Beyond docked at Port Zante, boosting local spending and jobs. Airlift Pressure: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines’ withdrawal from St. Kitts was announced without consultation, while the government works to secure alternative regional connectivity. Search & Safety: A multi-agency search continues for missing Chinese hiker Wang Zyuan on Mt. Liamuiga after he called emergency services and lost contact. Community & Culture: Nevis film Pan Gyul won two awards at the 2026 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and was selected for the ABFF “Voices of Culture” showcase. Local Development: Nevis is moving ahead with a new 500,000-gallon Stoney Hill water storage tank to strengthen potable supply. Destination Promotion: St. Kitts and Nevis named an eight-member team to represent the Federation at Taste of the Caribbean 2026 in Barbados.

Caribbean Week in New York: Tourism ministers and commissioners from across the region are set to gather in Manhattan for Caribbean Week 2026, aiming to strengthen resilience and market share under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.” Search & Rescue: A multi-agency operation is still underway to find missing Chinese hiker Wang Zyuan on St. Kitts’ Mt. Liamuiga, after he called emergency services on May 27 and then lost contact. Airlift Shock: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines withdrew from St. Kitts without consulting the government, while officials move to secure alternative airline partners to protect regional connectivity. Cruise Momentum: St. Kitts welcomed two major ships—Star of the Seas and Celebrity Beyond—bringing more than 14,000 passengers and crew during the off-season. Nevis Water Upgrade: Nevis is advancing potable water reliability with a new 500,000-gallon storage tank at Stoney Hill. Environment Month 2026: St. Kitts launches June Environment Month 2026 with community clean-ups, youth activities, and a Green Expo starting June 5. Tourism Recognition: Saint Kitts earned four World Travel Awards nominations, including adventure, culture, dive destination, and tourist board categories. Culture on the Global Stage: Nevis film Pan Gyul won two awards at the 2026 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and was selected for ABFF’s “Voices of Culture.”

Cruise Surge: St. Kitts and Nevis welcomed over 14,000 passengers and crew in an off-season boost, with Star of the Seas and Celebrity Beyond docking at Port Zante. Air Connectivity Shock: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines withdrew from the St. Kitts route without consulting government, and the Federation is now in talks with another airline to protect regional links. Tourism Momentum: Officials report 918,198 cruise passengers so far this season—strong recovery, but still below the historic one-million benchmark. Water Security: Nevis is moving ahead with a new 500,000-gallon potable water storage tank in Stoney Hill to add redundancy and improve supply. Environment Month 2026: The Environment Ministry launches June activities under “Climate Action: For Environment, For Empowerment, For Everyone,” kicking off June 5 at Independence Square. Missing Hiker Alert: Search-and-rescue continues for a Chinese cruise passenger, Wang Zyuan, missing on Mt. Liamuiga after calling for help. Travel Docs Update: The Federation is rolling out mandatory biometric passport upgrades with a deadline of 31 July 2027.

Airlift Shock & Response: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says Caribbean Airlines cut its St. Kitts route without consulting the government, and St. Kitts is now in talks with other airline partners to protect connectivity. Tourism Strategy: Henderson also says the ministry is decentralising tourism products so benefits reach rural communities, linking visitors to local agriculture, fisheries and community-led experiences. Cruise Momentum: St. Kitts welcomed Star of the Seas and Celebrity Beyond at Port Zante, bringing more than 10,500 passengers during the off-season, while the season total sits at 918,198 cruise arrivals—still below the one-million benchmark. Search & Rescue on Mt. Liamuiga: Police and multi-agency teams continue searching for missing Chinese hiker Wang Zyuan, last seen May 27 while hiking alone. Travel Readiness: The federation is rolling out mandatory biometric passport upgrades with appointments underway and a deadline of July 31, 2027. Public Health Travel Advisory: St. Kitts and Nevis issued Ebola-related travel warnings for high-risk African countries and says there are no Ebola cases in the federation. Environment Month 2026: The Environment Month calendar is set for June, launching June 5 at Independence Square under the theme “Climate Action: For Environment, For Empowerment, For Everyone.” Destination Marketing: “Explore St. Kitts and Nevis” was launched to attract travellers, lifestyle seekers and investors.

Cruise Tourism Update: St. Kitts and Nevis welcomed Star of the Seas and Celebrity Beyond at Port Zante on May 28, bringing more than 14,000 passengers and crew during the off-season—another boost for the destination’s cruise momentum. Tourism Numbers Still Short of the Million Mark: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson confirmed 918,198 cruise passengers so far this season, with officials stressing the season isn’t over yet, while acknowledging the Federation remains below the historic one-million benchmark. Air Connectivity Shock: Caribbean Airlines’ withdrawal from the St. Kitts route is now a live travel concern, with Minister Henderson saying the government wasn’t consulted and that talks are underway to secure an alternative airline partner. Search-and-Rescue on Mt. Liamuiga: Police and multi-agency teams are still searching for missing Chinese hiker Wang Zyuan, last seen May 27 while hiking alone; authorities are asking experienced hikers and the public to help. Public Health & Travel Advisory: With Ebola precautions rising, St. Kitts and Nevis issued travel advisories and reinforced screening, while health officials reiterated there are no Ebola cases in the Federation. Passport Modernisation: The government launched a mandatory biometric passport upgrade, with citizens urged to complete enrolment by July 31, 2027.

Cruise Tourism Boost: St. Kitts and Nevis welcomed two major cruise calls at Port Zante on Thursday, May 28—Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas (about 7,161 passengers, 2,500 crew) and Celebrity Beyond (around 3,400 passengers, 1,417 crew)—bringing more than 14,000 visitors and crew during the off-season, a win tourism leaders say strengthens the federation’s position with big cruise partners. Search & Rescue: Police and multi-agency teams are still hunting missing Chinese hiker Wang Zyuan, 33, last seen on Mt. Liamuiga on May 27 after he reported being lost via 911; authorities are using cell tower data and are asking experienced hikers to join the search. Tourism Performance Update: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says 2026’s first quarter is up strongly, citing 41,490 airlift passengers (Jan–Mar) and higher visitor spend, alongside record cruise momentum. Public Health & Travel: The government continues Ebola precautions, including travel advisories and heightened screening, while also defending recent entry denials tied to Ebola risk. Immigration Modernisation: St. Kitts and Nevis is rolling out mandatory biometric passport upgrades, with citizens required to complete enrolment by July 31, 2027. Energy & Development: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley says the geothermal project remains close to delivery, with planning for a dedicated geothermal unit and upcoming mobilization.

Tourism Performance: Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson says St. Kitts and Nevis logged a strong 2026 first quarter, with 41,490 air passengers in Jan–Mar and estimated visitor spend of EC$62.49M (+21%), alongside record cruise momentum (918,198 cruise passengers welcomed so far). Tourism Push: The federation launched the “Explore St. Kitts and Nevis” campaign (“Explore SKN”) to attract leisure travellers, lifestyle seekers and investors, positioning the islands as a sanctuary for exploring, living and investing. Travel Access & Costs: Caribbean Airlines will discontinue flights to St. Kitts and Dominica from June 1 as it restructures after route losses, adding pressure as fuel prices stay high and volatile. Public Health & Travel Rules: St. Kitts and Nevis issued an Ebola-focused travel advisory for nationals of multiple African countries and says there are no Ebola cases locally, while enhanced port screening remains in place. Immigration Friction: The government defended denying entry to 17 Nigerian nationals amid Ebola concerns, and reports also flagged a tense airport stand-off involving Nigerian passengers over documentation. Safety on the Trails: Police are still searching for missing hiker Wang Zyuan, last seen May 27 on Mt. Liamuiga after calling 911 that he was lost. Travel Documents: The federation is rolling out mandatory biometric passport upgrades, with citizens required to complete enrolment by July 31, 2027. Nevis Energy: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley says the geothermal project is “well within striking distance,” with mobilization targeted for August.

Ebola Travel Advisory: St. Kitts and Nevis has issued renewed public health travel warnings tied to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, urging nationals to avoid non-essential travel to 12 high-risk countries (including Nigeria, DRC, Uganda, Angola, Kenya, and others) and warning that arrivals from listed areas may face entry restrictions. Border Scrutiny at the Airport: The government is also publicly defending the denial of entry to 17 Nigerian nationals amid Ebola concerns, saying the action followed health guidance and that Nigeria has no confirmed case linked to the current outbreak. Tourism Push: The federation launched “Explore St. Kitts and Nevis” to attract leisure travelers, long-stay visitors, and investors, positioning the islands as a private Caribbean sanctuary and highlighting upcoming Port Zante home-porting ambitions. Resort Leadership: Hodges Bay Resort & Spa named Christopher Eastmond as general manager, with renovations and the debut of Katsuya Beach on the agenda. Air Access Warning for Travelers: Caribbean Airlines announced route withdrawals and reduced frequencies, including discontinuing service to St. Kitts and Dominica from June 1, citing route losses and restructuring. Regional Tourism Strategy: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley urged a shift toward regional demand and more events beyond traditional sun-and-sand marketing. Trade & Investment Calendar: ACTIF 2026’s official website is live, with the forum set for July 29–31 at the St. Kitts Marriott.