Archive for September, 2026

CTO appoints Courtney-Diana Walker as program officer, sustainable tourism

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Sept. 9, 2026) —The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has appointed Barbadian tourism and communications professional Courtney-Diana Walker as program officer, sustainable tourism, strengthening the organization’s capacity to advance sustainable and regenerative tourism development across the Caribbean.

Walker officially assumed her duties Sept. 1 and will support Narendra Ramgulam, CTO’s deputy director of sustainable tourism, in the implementation of programs and initiatives aligned with the organization’s sustainable tourism priorities.

The appointment also supports the CTO Reimagine Plan 2025–2027, under which Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism is one of five primary strategic pillars guiding the organization’s work. The pillar reflects CTO’s focus on strengthening the long-term sustainability, resilience and competitiveness of Caribbean tourism while ensuring that the sector delivers meaningful benefits for Caribbean people and communities.

Courtney-Diana Walker

Courtney-Diana Walker

 

“Courtney-Diana brings a valuable combination of regional perspective, academic grounding, communications expertise and a strong commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO secretary-general and CEO. “Her appointment strengthens our capacity to deliver on an important pillar of the Reimagine Plan as we work with our members and partners to advance tourism development that creates lasting economic, social and environmental value across the Caribbean.”

Walker has a multidisciplinary background spanning sustainable tourism, cultural development, strategic communications, events, research and stakeholder engagement. Her experience across public, private and institutional environments has given her a broad understanding of the Caribbean’s tourism and cultural landscape.

She holds a master’s degree in Cultural Studies from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and is completing a Master of Science in Tourism and Sports Management at UWI Cave Hill.

Her professional experience includes project coordination, program development, strategic communications, event management, research, and engagement with stakeholders across the region. She has also worked with initiatives supporting the creative and tourism industries with particular interests in sustainable and inclusive tourism, destination development, and the role of tourism in generating economic and social impact.

In her new role, Walker will contribute to CTO’s work to strengthen sustainable tourism practices, support destination development and advance initiatives that reinforce the organization’s purpose of “Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.”

Posted in: 2026 News, Blog, Corporate News

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Guyana President Irfaan Ali to Keynote CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in October

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Sept. 3, 2026) — His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, president of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, will deliver the keynote address at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026, placing the future of Caribbean tourism within the wider regional conversation on economic transformation, resilience, innovation and inclusive growth.

Set for Georgetown, Guyana, Oct. 5–9, SOTIC 2026 will be held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” President Ali’s keynote will help frame the conference conversation around how Caribbean destinations can harness innovation and technology, strengthen environmental and economic resilience, and ensure that tourism growth creates meaningful opportunities for communities across the region.

His address comes as Caribbean tourism leaders confront a rapidly changing global environment shaped by new technologies, evolving traveler expectations, climate pressures and increasing competition. Against that backdrop, SOTIC will examine how the region can remain competitive while pursuing a model of tourism development that delivers stronger economic, social and environmental returns.

His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

“President Ali’s participation brings an important dimension to SOTIC at a time when we are asking fundamental questions about what the future of Caribbean tourism should look like,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, secretary-general and CEO of CTO. “He brings the perspective not only of a regional head of government but also of a leader who understands sustainable tourism and its connection to national development. As we explore a future that is smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive, his voice will help set the stage for the bold thinking and collaborative action our region needs.”

Guyana provides a particularly relevant setting for this year’s discussions. The country has placed sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation and community participation at the center of its tourism development strategy while pursuing broader economic diversification and investment in the sector.

Susan Rodrigues, Guyana’s minister of tourism, industry and commerce, said hosting SOTIC and welcoming regional and international tourism leaders to Georgetown presents an opportunity to advance the Caribbean tourism conversation while showcasing Guyana’s evolving visitor economy.

“We are honored to welcome President Ali to deliver the keynote address and to host the Caribbean tourism community here in Guyana,” said Minister Rodrigues. “The conference theme speaks directly to the kind of tourism future we are working to build — one that embraces innovation, protects what makes our destinations distinctive and ensures that the benefits of tourism reach our people and communities. Guyana is proud to provide the setting for this important regional dialogue.”

President Ali, who was first sworn in as Guyana’s ninth executive president in August 2020 and began a second term in September 2025, brings significant experience in economic planning and national development to the conference. Before becoming president, he served in the National Assembly and held ministerial responsibility for Housing and Water as well as Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

He holds a doctorate in urban and regional planning from the University of the West Indies along with graduate and professional qualifications in manpower planning, international business, finance and international commercial law.

SOTIC is CTO’s principal forum for bringing together tourism ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, private-sector executives, regional and international partners, academics, media, young people, and other industry stakeholders to examine the issues shaping Caribbean tourism.

The 2026 program will place particular emphasis on data, tourism intelligence, innovation, emerging technology, climate resilience and regenerative tourism, destination competitiveness, inclusive growth, and the role of the region’s next generation of tourism leaders. Guyana will host SOTIC for the first time.

CTO business meetings will take place Oct. 5–6, followed by the main SOTIC conference Oct. 7–8 including the Regional Tourism Youth Congress on Oct. 8. Destination Media Briefings will conclude the week on Oct. 9.

For more information and to register for SOTIC 2026, visit sotic.onecaribbean.org.

Posted in: Blog, SOTIC

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Refining Your Destination’s Target Market to Gain an Edge

Broad Appeal Is Costing You Bookings, Precision Is the Fix

 

Destinations that succeed today are those that understand not just where they are, but who they are best positioned to serve. As tourism becomes more competitive and audiences more diverse, a clear sense of target market is no longer optional; it is essential.

Our reflections and efforts are honed from years of local, national and international work, and were further enlightened by the CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in Belize, where the various economic discussions reinforced an important point: the most effective destinations are not those that try to appeal to everyone, but those that understand clearly who they are best placed to serve.

The Silver Economy: Unlocking High-Value, Experience-Driven Travel

A perfect example is the Silver Economy, which represents a demographic that participates across multiple tourism sectors, rather than fitting neatly into one. With that mindset, it is clear that this economy requires a more creative approach. Today’s more mature travelers (who contribute an estimated $35-50 billion USD in annual tourism spend in the region) are active, experience-led and seeking destinations that offer comfort, wellness, cultural immersion and meaningful engagement.

For destinations, this is a strategic opportunity. Defining target audiences more precisely allows for sharper messaging, better planned excursions and more intentional visitor experiences. It also helps destinations identify where they have strengths and challenges, where they need to invest and how to make better use of their existing assets.

This is where thoughtful communications matter.

Beyond the Itinerary: Strategic Communications and Local Community Connection

At LINK Strategic Partners, we specialize in strategic communications and community engagement, with a focus on understanding the intersections between communities and the messages that resonate most with these individuals.

Geotargeted advertising, outreach through stakeholder-focused media and relationships with active living communities can all help destinations reach audiences more effectively.

But, to be clear, the message itself matters just as much as the channel. So, when looking at a particular market or economy such as the Silver Economy, clarity, ease, safety and enrichment are far more compelling than broad, generic appeals.

Rooted in Culture: The Power of Local-First Tourism Strategies

What stood out most at the CTO Conference in Belize was the reminder that tourism is never only about the landmark or the itinerary. The real value lies in how visitors connect with the communities that shape a destination’s identity.

Across our work, we have seen that the strongest strategies are built when global insight is translated through local understanding, and when stakeholder engagement is treated as central rather than secondary.

In an increasingly interconnected world, destinations that refine their audience focus are not limiting their ambition. They are creating the conditions for tourism to be more relevant, more resilient and more rooted in culture, history and tradition.

 

Sherryl NewmanAuthor
Sherryl Newman
Director of Planning & Engagement, LINK Strategic Partners

Sherryl Newman’s primary focus has always been on serving and working with the community to build better opportunities for its residents. Her past 35 years of professional work have been primarily in public service in New York City and the District of Columbia. She now serves as Director of Planning & Engagement at LINK Strategic Partners, a community engagement firm based in Washington, D.C.

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