Dona Regis-Prosper, serving as the Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), recently emphasized that the true foundation of Caribbean prosperity is rooted in the land itself, rather than in corporate boardrooms.
According to a CTO release, during the opening of the 54th annual AgriFest, on February 17, 2026, in St. Croix, a three-day event celebrating agriculture and technological innovation, Regis-Prosper addressed a packed audience regarding the future stability of Caribbean economies. She reportedly delivered a compelling reminder that the success of modern tourism is deeply intertwined with the Caribbean’s agricultural heritage.
The event was framed as a reflection on regional identity, challenging the notion that tourism should overshadow local agricultural industries.
“Before there were hotels, airports, seaports (and) cruise ships, there was land, soil and cultivation,” she said. “Tourism really began in a garden.”
Regis-Prosper, whose career includes involvement in energy projects on St. Croix during the 1990s, commended the U.S. Virgin Islands for maintaining agriculture as a core element of its social and economic structure, rather than relegating it to a secondary role.
“Here in St. Croix, agriculture is not a side story. It is the foundation of your global identity,” she explained, referencing the historical significance of industries such as sugar in St. Croix, bananas in St. Lucia, coffee in Jamaica, and cocoa in Trinidad & Tobago.
She highlighted a changing trend among travelers who increasingly seek authentic sensory experiences over traditional luxury indicators. This shift elevates local farmers to a central position in the tourism value chain.
“Visitors don’t always remember square footage, décor or thread counts,” Regis-Prosper remarked. “They remember taste, smell, storytelling — or, as I like to say, truth-telling. And they remember how they felt.”
Supporting her vision, Jennifer Matarangas-King, the U.S. Virgin Islands’ Commissioner of Tourism, shared current data indicating that AgriFest has become one of the Territory’s most active tourism weekends.
“Outside of the Crucian Christmas Festival, Agrifest is the biggest weekend that we have,” Matarangas-King said. “Right now, every room is filled. You can’t get a rental car. I think people are probably sleeping on the beach at this point — so that’s good for us.”
According to the release, she also reported that three cruise ships would bring over 8,000 visitors during the holiday weekend, alongside thousands of residents and members of the diaspora. Matarangas-King emphasized that the Territory’s farm-to-table culture is more than a marketing trend; it is an authentic cultural practice passed down through generations.
“Farm-to-table is not a movement here,” said Matarangas-King. “It’s a way of life that spans generations.”
Territorial leadership took the stage to discuss strategies for land use, food security, and resilience. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. praised Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Louis Petersen’s leadership, framing land ownership as a pathway to intergenerational wealth and community resilience.
“We all need to think about how we live, how we eat, and what we grow,” Bryan said. “Good food grows in the yard. Actually, everything grows here.
He detailed ongoing efforts by his administration to acquire land for preservation and agricultural purposes, urging young residents to view their land as a vital asset.
Looking ahead, Regis-Prosper referenced the CTO’s Reimagine Plan, which promotes sustainable and regenerative tourism. She stressed the importance of leveraging technology as an ally in building resilience.
“Agriculture plus technology plus strategic foresight equals resilience,” she said. “And resilience is something that St. Croix knows well.”
Her concluding message served as a regional call to action: “Tourism should never replace the garden. Tourism should protect it.”
Ahead of the event’s opening, the CTO delegation, including Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism Narendra Ramgulam and Executive Assistant Marvelle Sealy, engaged in discussions with Governor Bryan, Commissioner Matarangas-King, and Deputy Commissioner of Tourism RoseAnne Farrington. The focus was on fostering regional cooperation and expanding agro-tourism initiatives across the Caribbean.
Based on what I am reading she said nothing. Tourism is what she is promoting and her “Tourism really began in a garden.” sounding like some persons words I read on DNO a few years ago that many great ideas were developed at the kitchen table”.
Her before there were airports and hotels etc talk is just pathetic crap she is talking. her sorry self shouldn’t be out there talking agriculture when there is no connection to tourism to what is said in there. Removing in context out of context the quotes show the lady cannot make the connection between tourism an agriculture. Stick to the enriching industry of looking fancy eating well and empty talk.
These people cannot turn down an offer and suggest someone more suitable than them to do anything.
Tourist begin passing fake dollars go talk about fixing that problem.