Held alongside Caribbean Week in New York City, the annual Caribbean Media Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and sponsored by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, brought together industry leaders and media professionals to celebrate exceptional storytelling centered on the Caribbean region. At the event, journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, and digital creators from across the Caribbean and the United States were recognized for work that amplifies underrepresented narratives of the region’s culture, communities, natural landscapes, and evolving tourism sector.
In her opening address to attendees, Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the CTO, underscored the critical role that thoughtful storytelling plays in shaping global perceptions of the Caribbean. “Great storytelling has the power to transform perceptions and create deeper connections between people and destinations,” Regis-Prosper said. “The individuals recognized through the Caribbean Media Awards are helping to tell a more complete story of our region — one that goes beyond beaches and resorts to showcase our people and heritage. Through thoughtful, impactful journalism, they are elevating Caribbean voices and bringing greater visibility to the stories that matter most.”
This year’s awards were distributed across three core thematic categories: Storytelling Excellence, Digital and Innovation, and Voices of the Caribbean. CTO representatives noted that 2026 submissions distinguished themselves through their striking originality, investigative depth, and commitment to sharing authentic narratives that move far beyond generic, conventional tourism marketing.
Among the standout winners, Dana Givens took home the Best Consumer Story award for her National Geographic feature titled “Jamaica’s Greenest Parish Is Its Best-Kept Secret.” Christina Jelski of *Travel Weekly* claimed the Best Trade Article honor for her revealing interview with former Bahamas Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu.
In the broadcasting category, Ryan Bachoo of Trinidad and Tobago-based Guardian Media won Best Podcast/Radio for his in-depth reporting on how sargassum blooms threaten tourism economies across the Caribbean. The Jamaica Tourist Board also earned recognition for digital excellence, taking home the Social Media Campaign award for its widely successful “Reggae Marathon 2025” promotional initiative.
The Voices of the Caribbean category, which highlights work that centers local and diaspora perspectives, awarded its top Video Production prize to Meschida Philip for her documentary *“Echoes of Waltham.”* Esther Jones of the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network received the Best News Reporting award for her rigorous investigation into the complex trade-offs between cruise tourism expansion and marine conservation in Barbados.
Ralph Thomassaint Joseph of *Documented NY* claimed the Personal Immersive Story award for “Dancing Through Fear: A Haitian Performer Faces Deportation in New York,” a intimate feature that explores the lived experiences of Haitian community members in the Caribbean diaspora based in New York. Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles was named Diaspora Journalist of the Year for her consistent, nuanced coverage of Haiti, while Luis Joel Méndez González of the Center for Investigative Journalism took home the title of Emerging Journalist of the Year for his investigative “Esencia” series.
Beyond honoring award-winning work, the 2026 luncheon also marked the official launch of CTO TV, a new digital video platform designed to expand the CTO’s global storytelling reach. The channel will host a diverse range of content, including destination spotlights, one-on-one interviews with tourism industry leaders, public policy debates, and other tourism-focused programming. Drawing from an existing archive of more than 700 pre-produced videos alongside newly commissioned content, CTO TV will focus on highlighting tourism innovation, sustainable development, and cross-regional collaboration across the Caribbean.