Minister Henderson Named OECS Tourism Chair
BASSETERRE: Minister of Tourism The Hon. Marsha T. Henderson has been appointed the new Chair of the OECS Council of Ministers Tourism. This leadership role comes at a crucial time for regional travel recovery and sustainability efforts.
Minister Henderson’s appointment highlights St. Kitts’ growing influence in Eastern Caribbean tourism. A social media post by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority stated, “We are proud to announce that the Honourable Marsha T. Henderson has been named the new Chair… With a vision for sustainable growth and regional integration.”
She succeeds Senator Adrian Thomas of Grenada, who recently chaired a key consultation on the OECS Sustainable Tourism Action Plan (STAP).
Regional tourism stakeholders gathered in Grenada on January 29-30, 2026, for a high-level consultation aimed at shaping the future of tourism in the Eastern Caribbean. The Regional Tourism Steering Committee Consultation focused on validating the OECS Sustainable Tourism Action Plan (STAP), a comprehensive roadmap designed to guide the transformation of the sector over the next decade.
Tourism remains a critical driver of economic growth across the OECS, contributing significantly to employment and national GDP. Recognising the need to ensure this growth is resilient and inclusive, in 2025, OECS Member States adopted the OECS Sustainable Tourism Policy 2025–2035. The Grenada consultation marked a pivotal step in operationalising this policy, translating regional commitments into concrete actions and measurable outcomes.
The two-day activity brought together representatives from across the OECS protocol Member States, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and associate Member States including Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. Participants worked collaboratively to prioritise actions across eight thematic areas aligned to the Policy and in the draft STAP. These include:
- Inclusive Growth: Developing OECS community-based tourism toolkits and youth entrepreneurship programmes.
- Climate Resilience: Establishing a common regional crisis and risk management framework.
- Blue Tourism: Implementing beach use and coastal zone planning and coral reef restoration at scale.
- Product Development: Carrying capacity studies
Minister Henderson now leads the regional tourism agenda with a vision for sustainable growth and regional integration across the nine OECS Member States, where tourism remains a critical driver of economic growth and employment.