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Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith named CTO's Minister/Commissioner of Tourism of the Year

- Awards presented @ Caribbean Week in New York
Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), Junior Minister of Tourism and Culture for the Virgin Islands (right), accepts the 2026 Minister of Tourism of the Year Award from Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of CTO, during the Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Awards in New York. Photo: CTO
Attendees, award recipients and Hall of Fame inductees gather for a group photo during CTO’s third annual Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Awards at InterContinental New York Times Square during Caribbean Week in New York. Photo: CTO
Attendees, award recipients and Hall of Fame inductees gather for a group photo during CTO’s third annual Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Awards at InterContinental New York Times Square during Caribbean Week in New York. Photo: CTO
New York, USA – Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), the Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture for the Virgin Islands, has been honoured with the title of Minister/Commissioner of Tourism of the Year at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation's (CTO) third annual Caribbean Women in Tourism Leadership Awards.

The ceremony took place on Monday, June 1, 2026, during Caribbean Week in New York at the InterContinental New York Times Square.

Hodge-Smith was one of two distinguished Caribbean tourism officials recognised at the awards.

According to a release from the CTO, Andrea Franklin, the Chief Executive Officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and Chair of the CTO Board of Directors, was named Director of Tourism of the Year for 2026.

Caribbean Tourism professionals voted 

This award was determined by votes from fellow tourism professionals across the region.

The CTO’s awards programme celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, contributed to destination development, strengthened Caribbean tourism, and served as role models for future generations of women entering the sector.

The Secretary-General’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr Lisa Indar, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

She was recognised for her significant role in promoting healthier and safer tourism environments while advancing sustainable tourism practices throughout the Caribbean.

14 Responses to “Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith named CTO's Minister/Commissioner of Tourism of the Year”

  • %100 raise (08/06/2026, 09:36) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well Mark surely don't recognize her.
  • hmm (08/06/2026, 09:37) Like (26) Dislike (9) Reply
    For doing what exactly?
  • smh (08/06/2026, 11:46) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    BVI GOVERNMENT AND TOURIST BIARD OAYBTHEM TO GIVE SHE DAT
  • Say what you want to say (08/06/2026, 12:13) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Love to hate her, Ms. Luce, you look great in that dress. VA VA VOOM.
  • Hmmmm (08/06/2026, 14:47) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Stupes, Stupes and Stupes
  • How (08/06/2026, 15:47) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is this award possible? How? What was the measuring stick?
  • watch here (08/06/2026, 16:10) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    We winning everything to be won
  • I need to know (08/06/2026, 17:07) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Did they air brush Luce picture? She looks great in that picture.Cute shape and everything.
  • Help me understand (08/06/2026, 17:58) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    And field of only women. Cause clearly no man in the photo. But she got an award for doing what actually. Because these things they claim she did I never heard about here.


    And how before previous persons who held the title never got mentioned in such manner.
  • resident (08/06/2026, 21:20) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    i surprised she is awake
  • tola (09/06/2026, 01:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yawn
  • Sowamde again. (09/06/2026, 05:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sowamde is not just very smart, but he is a strategist, he knows what to do to prop her up, she can't do it herself. Sowamde knows she is in trouble in the 4th.
  • Well (14/06/2026, 06:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's the problem right there, she spent to.muvh time galavanting while leaving the 4th to go down, anyway action man is back, Sandy we waiting for you too!


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