Sharon Banfield

Board Member

Director of Resource Mobilization & Development, Caribbean Tourism Organization

Sharon Banfield is a seasoned tourism and development professional with over three decades of experience spanning education, sustainable tourism, and regional capacity building. As Director of Resource Mobilization and Development at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), she plays a central role in shaping strategies that strengthen the Caribbean's tourism sector through people, partnerships, and purposeful planning.

Sharon's career reflects a deep commitment to sustainable and community-centered tourism. She has served in leadership roles across the region, including as Chief Tourism Development Officer for the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and Deputy Director of Tourism Product Development for the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. She has also contributed to academia as a part-time lecturer at the University College of the Cayman Islands, developing curriculum in tourism management and sociology.

At the CTO, Sharon is a sought-after voice on workforce development and regional resilience, frequently serving as a moderator and speaker at major industry forums. She has championed initiatives that place community, culture, and inclusion at the heart of the Caribbean tourism experience.

Sharon holds a Master of Science in Tourism Planning and Development from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish Languages from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados.