Just weeks after making history as the first Dominican-born and Dominican-residing national elected to lead the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), prominent hotelier and tourism executive Gregor Nassief has revealed that he and his wife have been denied United States visas. They both went to have their visas renewed last Friday.
The development comes at a pivotal moment for Nassief, who was recently elected President-elect of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace held in Antigua and Barbuda.
His election was celebrated across Dominica as a landmark achievement for the Nature Isle and a significant milestone for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), placing a Dominican at the helm of one of the Caribbean’s most influential tourism organizations for the first time.
However, speaking in an interview with journalist Shermain Bique-Charles on Thursday, Nassief expressed concern that the visa denial could have far-reaching consequences not only for him personally, but also for Caribbean tourism and regional representation.
“This is much bigger than me,” Nassief said.
As President-elect of the CHTA, Nassief is expected to represent the Caribbean tourism industry at international conferences, investment meetings, airline negotiations, trade events, and policy discussions around the world. Many of those engagements traditionally take place in the United States, the Caribbean’s largest tourism source market.
Nassief warned that restrictions preventing senior tourism leaders from travelling to the United States could affect the region’s ability to advocate for its interests and maintain critical relationships with tourism stakeholders.
Among his greatest concerns is the potential impact on airlift, an issue that remains one of the most important challenges facing Caribbean destinations.
The Caribbean relies heavily on air connectivity to sustain its tourism industry, and many of the airlines, travel companies, and tourism partners that influence regional air service are headquartered in the United States.
Nassief said the inability of regional tourism leaders to travel freely for meetings and negotiations could undermine efforts to secure additional flights, improve connectivity, and strengthen tourism partnerships.
The implications could be particularly significant for small island developing states such as Dominica, where tourism continues to serve as a major pillar of economic growth.
Beyond tourism, Nassief noted that the visa denial raises concerns for Caribbean entrepreneurs and business leaders who depend on travel to the United States for commercial activities, investment opportunities, and professional engagements.
The United States remains one of Dominica’s most important tourism and trading partners, making access to the market critical for many sectors of the economy.
Nassief’s election to the CHTA presidency had been viewed as a source of immense national pride, reflecting Dominica’s growing influence within regional tourism circles.
Widely regarded as one of Dominica’s leading tourism advocates, Nassief has spent years promoting sustainable tourism, resilience, environmental stewardship, and regional collaboration. He previously served as President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association and Deputy Chairman of the Discover Dominica Authority, while helping shape the country’s tourism strategy and international profile.
His elevation to the leadership of the CHTA was seen as recognition of both his personal contributions and Dominica’s emergence as a respected voice in Caribbean tourism.
Now, observers across the region are questioning what the broader implications may be if Caribbean leaders, executives, and tourism representatives face increasing difficulties travelling to the United States.
For Nassief, the concern remains focused on the future of the Caribbean tourism industry and the region’s ability to engage with key international partners.
As Caribbean destinations continue to navigate global economic uncertainty, rising costs, and increasing competition, he believes maintaining strong international connections is more important than ever.
His message is clear: barriers affecting regional leaders can ultimately have consequences that extend well beyond the individuals involved, touching tourism, trade, investment, and the Caribbean’s voice on the global stage.
For many in Dominica, the situation presents a striking contrast—just weeks after one of the country’s most accomplished tourism professionals achieved one of the highest positions in Caribbean tourism leadership, he now faces restrictions that could limit his ability to fully carry out that role.
He should send a few open letters to the American Embassy in Barbados.Let’s see if he does.
Move this meeting to places with less travel restrictions. Let’s start to setup meetings in places like Canada, mexico..etc
When someone of Gregor Nassief’s stature – a highly respected hotelier and the literal face of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association leadership – is denied a U.S. visa, it sends shockwaves far beyond the hospitality sector. Occurring just weeks before Dominica’s highly anticipated June 16, 2026 check-up date with US State Department, the timing is impossible to ignore. If a prominent, establishment figure holding a Dominican passport cannot get travel clearance to the region’s largest market, it signals a deeper, systemic friction. One can only imagine that the Dear Leader is holding his breath, waiting to exhale once this critical mid-June milestone passes. Stay tuned!