Montego Bay, Jamaica Nigerian travel influencer and cultural bridge builder Bethia Idoko made a powerful impression at the 2025 CARICOM Heads of Government Conference, where she was invited to moderate a distinguished panel on tourism, heritage, and regional integration.
The engagement marked her 95th country visited, making the moment deeply symbolic for one of Africa’s most dynamic voices in travel advocacy.
The session, titled “Roots and Routes: Travel, Heritage and Economic Integration,” was part of the official side events at the CARICOM summit. It explored how tourism and cultural exchange can serve as strategic tools for deepening ties between Africa and the Caribbean, leveraging shared histories for mutual economic and diplomatic advancement.
The high-level panel brought together leading figures in the tourism and diaspora engagement space, including the likes of Sheikh Ahmet Nyang, Head of School, Institute of Travel and Tourism, The Gambia; Lisa Shakespeare, Africa-Caribbean Tourism Specialist; Dr. Muyiwa Adeboye, Diaspora Tourism Advocate and Cultural Curator and Dr. Carey Wallace [TBC], Representative of the Caribbean Tourism Board.
With grace, cultural sensitivity, and insight drawn from visiting nearly 100 countries, Bethia guided the conversation through themes of reconnection, mobility, cultural restoration, and joint tourism development. She also underscored the importance of visa-free travel, safety for African female travellers, and narrative ownership in global tourism.
The event was organised under the umbrella of the NTT Global and Motherland Reconnect Initiative, spearheaded by Elizabeth Agboola, a key figure in promoting African diaspora return, cultural reconnection, and intercontinental tourism collaboration.
A major highlight of the day was the presence of The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, who delivered remarks emphasizing the need for sustained engagement between the African continent and the Caribbean through cultural and economic channels.
Reflecting on her experience, Bethia noted that “To be in Jamaica, my 95th country moderating a conversation that connects Africa with her diasporic family was an honour I will never forget. It aligned perfectly with my purpose: using travel to empower, connect, and reclaim identity.”
Bethia Idoko is also the founder of the Queen Bethia Love Foundation, a non-profit focused on uplifting underserved communities. Through her work, she continues to champion Africa’s visibility on the world stage, creating spaces where African stories, journeys, and aspirations are seen and heard.
Follow Bethia Idoko: Instagram: @queenbethia Email: queenbethia@gmail.com