St. Kitts Tourism Authority Celebrates Successful Tenure of Outgoing CEO

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority reflects on Ellison "Tommy" Thompson's successful tenure as CEO. During his two-and-a-half-year assignment, Thompson has made significant contributions to the tourism sector and has been instrumental in driving forward the destination’s pandemic recovery through successful strategic and creative tourism sales and marketing initiatives.

“The Board of Directors extends its profound appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Thompson for his strategic vision and unwavering commitment to advancing the tourism sector of St. Kitts,” said Mrs. Ermelin Sebastian-Duggins, Chair of the Board of Directors. “Thompson’s leadership has truly enhanced the recognition of St. Kitts as a premier Caribbean destination. The Tourism Authority looks forward to continuing Thompson’s legacy and driving the growth and development of the tourism industry. Because of his leadership, the future of tourism in St. Kitts is brighter than ever.”

Thompson played an integral role in increasing airlift and accessibility for travellers. St. Kitts has seen significant growth in international and regional airlift and cruise arrivals, including the first year-round direct flight from the New York Metro Area with JetBlue, as well as increased lift with notable airlines including interCaribbean Airways, Caribbean Airways, Air Canada, Sunrise Airways, United Airlines, and American Airlines. Additionally, St. Kitts is now one of the fastest-growing cruise destinations in the region. Most recently, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas arrived on 30 January 2024 with a capacity of 7,600 passengers.

Thompson was also at the helm of the destination's new brand campaign, "Venture Deeper," which brought St. Kitts to the global stage by focusing on the island's natural beauty, unparalleled hospitality, and cultural richness.

Under Thompson’s leadership, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority launched a distinctive, first-of-its-kind island experience titled ‘Kittitian RumMaster' for travellers looking for an exciting and immersive activity on the island. Additionally, the Tourism Authority unveiled its "Summer of Fun” to further promote year-round visitation to the island. St. Kitts’ Summer of Fun includes the Annual St. Kitts Music Festival with acclaimed artists such as Mary J. Blige, St. Kitts & Nevis Restaurant Week, Nevis Mango Festival, Nevis Culturama, and Caribbean Premier League Cricket.

St. Kitts has also achieved remarkable milestones and received special recognitions, awards, and accolades under Thompson’s leadership, including Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List and Readers’ Choice Awards, Far & Wide’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Caribbean Journal’s Greenest Hotels and Destination of the Year, and numerous World Travel Awards.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to bring St. Kitts out of COVID protocols to a full recovery,” said Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, “The island of St. Kitts is a special place with such a vibrant community, and I am confident that the future holds even greater success for this incredible destination.”

Effective 1 July, Kelly Fontenelle will step in as CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Fontenelle boasts 25 years of expertise in the tourism and event management sector with a distinct focus on Caribbean travel.

Visitors are reminded to regularly check the St. Kitts Tourism Authority website (www.visitstkitts.com)  for updates and information. 

About St. Kitts    

St. Kitts is the larger of two islands that make up the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.  Eighteen miles of green mountain ranges stretch from Mount Liamuiga in the north to the southern peninsula—each end, an entirely different and equally fulfilling experience.  The island's serendipitous location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea gives its coast distinctively varied hues.  Our beaches range from golden tones to salt-and-pepper and alluring black volcanic sand.  Venture Deeper into the magic of St. Kitts and discover what the destination holds while simultaneously venturing introspectively into a journey of self-discovery.  Peel back the many layers of our beautiful island to discover the culture, history, adventure, and culinary delights around every corner.      

 *If you are travelling to St. Kitts, it is required that you complete the online Immigration and Customs ED Form before arrival.  Upon completion, you will receive a receipt with a QR code that you must present upon arrival in St. Kitts.  Your QR code can be printed out or scanned directly from your phone.  For more information about St. Kitts, visit visitstkitts.com.