GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS (4 June 2026) — The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism is proud to announce that Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism, has been honored as a founding inductee of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Female Leadership Hall of Fame. The induction took place on Monday, 1 June 2026, during CTO Caribbean Week in New York City at the InterContinental New York Times Square.
The CTO Female Leadership Hall of Fame celebrates women across the Caribbean region and beyond whose vision, dedication, and leadership have made exceptional and lasting contributions to Caribbean tourism. The honour places Director Harris among a distinguished group of women whose work has shaped the trajectory of the region's most important industry and recognises her as one of the most influential Caymanian voices in Caribbean tourism today.
Director Harris's induction recognises a body of visionary leadership that has touched every part of Caribbean tourism. As the immediate past Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors, she was instrumental in championing women in tourism and placing female leadership at the forefront of the organisation, including the appointment of the first-ever female Secretary General of the CTO, Donna Regis-Prosper. She also led the visionary transformation of the CTO through its 'Reimagine' initiative, a forward-looking effort to modernise the organisation for the next generation of Caribbean tourism. Last year at CTO Caribbean Week, she received the prestigious Director of the Year Award at the annual Women in Caribbean Tourism Awards.
A Caymanian voice shaping the future of Caribbean tourism
As a Caymanian who has risen to lead at the highest levels of regional tourism, Director Harris has used her platform to elevate the voice of small island destinations, deepen regional collaboration, and model what is possible when Caribbean talent is given space to lead on the global stage. Her career stands as a source of pride for the Cayman Islands and as an example for the next generation of Caymanian tourism professionals, particularly young women, entering the industry. Through her leadership, the Cayman Islands has not only strengthened its own position as a globally respected destination, but has also contributed meaningfully to the strategy, standards, and direction of Caribbean tourism as a whole.
"Rosa Harris' induction into the CTO Female Leadership Hall of Fame is a proud and well-deserved moment, for her personally, and for the Cayman Islands’ tourism industry," said the Hon. Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade Development.
"As a Caymanian who has led with vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to her country and her region, Director Harris has brought tremendous credit to the Cayman Islands. For more than a decade, she has been a driving force behind the strategy, partnerships, and global positioning that have brought the Cayman Islands to its strongest tourism period on record, while also shaping the future of Caribbean tourism through her leadership at the CTO. On behalf of the Government and people of the Cayman Islands, I extend our warmest congratulations on this historic recognition.
A decade of impact at home
In her 13 years as Director of Tourism, Director Harris has been a driving force in shaping the Cayman Islands' global tourism strategy. Her leadership has overseen significant milestones for the destination, including the record-breaking 2025/2026 winter season, the strongest winter for stayover visitation in the Cayman Islands' history, and the best four-month start to a year ever recorded. Under her direction, the Cayman Islands has continued to grow as a premium, globally competitive destination, supported by data-driven marketing, strategic airlift development, deep travel trade engagement, and an enduring commitment to the people and partners who make Cayman tourism work.
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism team, both at home and across the world, extends its warmest congratulations to Director Harris on this historic recognition. Her induction into the CTO Female Leadership Hall of Fame stands as a reflection of the values, vision, and partnerships that continue to drive Cayman tourism forward and as a powerful example of Caymanian excellence shaping the future of tourism across the region.
The CTO Female Leadership Hall of Fame celebrates women across the Caribbean region and beyond whose vision, dedication, and leadership have made exceptional and lasting contributions to Caribbean tourism. The honour places Director Harris among a distinguished group of women whose work has shaped the trajectory of the region's most important industry and recognises her as one of the most influential Caymanian voices in Caribbean tourism today.
Director Harris's induction recognises a body of visionary leadership that has touched every part of Caribbean tourism. As the immediate past Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors, she was instrumental in championing women in tourism and placing female leadership at the forefront of the organisation, including the appointment of the first-ever female Secretary General of the CTO, Donna Regis-Prosper. She also led the visionary transformation of the CTO through its 'Reimagine' initiative, a forward-looking effort to modernise the organisation for the next generation of Caribbean tourism. Last year at CTO Caribbean Week, she received the prestigious Director of the Year Award at the annual Women in Caribbean Tourism Awards.
A Caymanian voice shaping the future of Caribbean tourism
As a Caymanian who has risen to lead at the highest levels of regional tourism, Director Harris has used her platform to elevate the voice of small island destinations, deepen regional collaboration, and model what is possible when Caribbean talent is given space to lead on the global stage. Her career stands as a source of pride for the Cayman Islands and as an example for the next generation of Caymanian tourism professionals, particularly young women, entering the industry. Through her leadership, the Cayman Islands has not only strengthened its own position as a globally respected destination, but has also contributed meaningfully to the strategy, standards, and direction of Caribbean tourism as a whole.
"Rosa Harris' induction into the CTO Female Leadership Hall of Fame is a proud and well-deserved moment, for her personally, and for the Cayman Islands’ tourism industry," said the Hon. Gary Rutty, Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Trade Development.
"As a Caymanian who has led with vision, integrity, and unwavering commitment to her country and her region, Director Harris has brought tremendous credit to the Cayman Islands. For more than a decade, she has been a driving force behind the strategy, partnerships, and global positioning that have brought the Cayman Islands to its strongest tourism period on record, while also shaping the future of Caribbean tourism through her leadership at the CTO. On behalf of the Government and people of the Cayman Islands, I extend our warmest congratulations on this historic recognition.
A decade of impact at home
In her 13 years as Director of Tourism, Director Harris has been a driving force in shaping the Cayman Islands' global tourism strategy. Her leadership has overseen significant milestones for the destination, including the record-breaking 2025/2026 winter season, the strongest winter for stayover visitation in the Cayman Islands' history, and the best four-month start to a year ever recorded. Under her direction, the Cayman Islands has continued to grow as a premium, globally competitive destination, supported by data-driven marketing, strategic airlift development, deep travel trade engagement, and an enduring commitment to the people and partners who make Cayman tourism work.
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism team, both at home and across the world, extends its warmest congratulations to Director Harris on this historic recognition. Her induction into the CTO Female Leadership Hall of Fame stands as a reflection of the values, vision, and partnerships that continue to drive Cayman tourism forward and as a powerful example of Caymanian excellence shaping the future of tourism across the region.