Archive for 2026 News

CTO to Launch Future Leaders Forum at SOTIC 2026

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Aug. 31, 2026) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will launch its inaugural Future Leaders Forum at the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Guyana, creating an interactive space for students and emerging professionals to engage directly with leaders helping to shape the region’s tourism industry.

Held Monday, Oct. 5, from 10–11:30 a.m., the pre-conference event will take place under the theme “From the Classroom to the Caribbean: Conversations with Tourism Leaders.” Rather than a traditional conference session, the forum will use an interactive town hall format designed to encourage candid conversation, questions and the exchange of ideas across generations.

The initiative complements the SOTIC 2026 theme, “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive,” by bringing young Caribbean voices directly into discussions about the forces expected to influence tourism over the next decade — from climate change and artificial intelligence to entrepreneurship, biodiversity, community tourism, destination management and workforce development.

narendra ramgulam

“The future of Caribbean tourism will not be shaped only in boardrooms or conference halls; it will also be shaped by the questions, ideas and ambitions of the young people preparing to enter this industry,” said Narendra Ramgulam, CTO’s deputy director of sustainable tourism, who will moderate the forum. “The Future Leaders Forum is designed to give students a genuine voice in that conversation — not simply as spectators but as participants. We want them to challenge us, tell us what they see coming, and leave SOTIC understanding that they have both a role and a responsibility in defining what Caribbean tourism becomes next.”

CTO secretary-general and CEO, Dona Regis-Prosper, will open the forum, underscoring the organization’s commitment to investing in young people and preparing the next generation to lead an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving tourism sector.

The program will begin with a live audience poll exploring which issues participants believe will have the greatest influence on Caribbean tourism over the coming decade. This will be followed by a “Town Hall Kickstarter,” during which tourism leaders representing government, the private sector, academia and communities will each respond to a single question: What is one challenge the next generation of Caribbean tourism leaders must solve — and why?

The session will then shift to an “Ask Me Anything: Caribbean Tourism Edition,” giving students the opportunity to lead the conversation and question tourism leaders on issues ranging from climate resilience and technology to entrepreneurship, careers, community development and the future direction of the industry.

Ramgulam is encouraging participating students to come prepared to make the most of the opportunity. “Bring your questions. Bring your ideas. Challenge us,” he said. “This is not a session where young people are expected to sit quietly and listen. We want them to ask the questions they have always wanted to ask tourism leaders, raise the issues that matter to them and tell us what they believe the Caribbean tourism industry should look like in the years ahead.”

A centerpiece of the forum will be the Caribbean Tourism Legacy Wall where participants will complete the statement, “My legacy for Caribbean tourism will be …” and publicly post their commitments. Regis-Prosper will be invited to make the first pledge, followed by participating tourism leaders and students, symbolizing the shared responsibility of established and emerging leaders for the Caribbean’s tourism future.

The emphasis on young people will continue during the week with the Regional Tourism Youth Congress, another signature conference event that gives young people from across the Caribbean a platform to debate tourism issues, share their perspectives and present ideas for the future of the region’s leading industry.

SOTIC 2026 will be held in Georgetown, Guyana, Oct. 5–9, bringing together tourism ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, private-sector executives, industry specialists, media and other regional and international stakeholders to examine the issues and opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.

Posted in: 2026 News, Blog, Corporate News, SOTIC

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SOTIC 2026 to Feature Cruise Master Class as Guyana Advances Cruise Tourism Ambitions

FCCA CEO Michele Paige to headline initiative focused on building capacity and unlocking new opportunities in cruise tourism

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Aug. 19, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in collaboration with Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, will host a special Cruise Master Class during the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Guyana (Oct. 5-9, 2026), as the country takes important steps toward developing its potential as an emerging cruise tourism destination.

The Master Class, titled “Maximizing Destination Value through Cruise Tourism,” will feature Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), bringing one of the cruise industry’s leading voices to Georgetown for a productive exchange designed to strengthen understanding of the sector and help Guyana assess the opportunities, requirements and partnerships necessary to build a competitive cruise tourism product. FCCA works with destinations and cruise lines across the Caribbean and Latin America to strengthen cruise tourism development and maximize the economic benefits generated by the sector.

The session will provide tourism officials, private-sector stakeholders and other participants with practical industry insights into areas such as destination readiness, product development, shore experiences, service excellence, cruise line expectations and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

Norris Clement CTO

Norris Clement, CTO’s deputy director of professional services, said the Master Class reflects CTO’s commitment to ensuring that tourism growth is supported by the skills, knowledge and institutional capacity required to deliver long-term benefits. “Cruise tourism presents the entire Caribbean with an exciting opportunity. But we must have a clear understanding of how the industry works and the importance of strong partnerships, compelling visitor experiences and a workforce and business community prepared to deliver at a consistently high standard.”

Clement said: “This Master Class is about building that foundation and equipping stakeholders with practical knowledge that can help Guyana and the wider Caribbean continue to approach cruise tourism strategically, sustainably and competitively.”

The Cruise Master Class aligns with CTO’s Reimagine Plan 2025–2027 and supports the ongoing work of its Cruise, Yachting and Ferry Committee, which is focused on strengthening engagement between Caribbean destinations and the cruise sector and expanding the benefits generated by marine tourism across the region.

beth hatt

Beth Hatt, founder of Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, said Guyana has an opportunity to draw on proven industry experience and practical tools as it shapes its approach to cruise tourism. “For destinations across the Caribbean, cruise tourism represents an important opportunity, but maximizing that opportunity requires looking beyond the cruise call itself. It means understanding where value is created and where it can be strengthened, while building destination readiness, compelling visitor experiences, local participation and strong partnerships. We look forward to helping stakeholders explore how cruise tourism can contribute to broader tourism growth and long-term destination resilience.”

ambra attus

Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, who will be represented in Guyana by both Hatt and Ambra Attus, director of impact, development and growth, is a leading destination training provider for the global cruise industry. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience operating Aquila Tours and its Living Lab in Saint John, New Brunswick — where guest experiences are designed, tested and refined — the organization delivers training and development programs for destinations, tour companies, tour guides and front-line operators.

Aquila, a CTO Allied Member, works with cruise lines and destination stakeholders to support long-term cruise destination success.

Guyana’s emergence as a potential cruise destination adds a distinctive dimension to the Caribbean cruise landscape, complementing the region’s established island ports with experiences rooted in the country’s natural environment, cultural diversity and adventure tourism product.

Under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive,” this year marks the first time Guyana will host CTO’s flagship State of the Tourism Industry Conference.

SOTIC brings together tourism ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, private-sector executives, industry specialists, media and other regional and international stakeholders to examine the issues and opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.

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Two Islands, One Journey 

grenada careenage

 

The Caribbean has long been sold one island at a time. Travel sellers can offer something richer by connecting destinations through their culture, cuisine and communities. 

For decades, the Caribbean has often been sold as a choice. One island or another. One resort. One beach. One version of the region. Travel sellers have always had the ability to build multi-island holidays. The opportunity is to make them a more deliberate part of how we present the Caribbean to the world. Because what separates one Caribbean destination from another is not simply a different stretch of sand. It is culture, cuisine and community. 

A short regional flight can take a traveller from one language, history and culinary tradition to another. From one Carnival to another expression of Caribbean culture. From one community’s story to a completely different understanding of island life. That is the real promise of a two-centre Caribbean journey. 

Beyond One Island: Rethinking the Caribbean Holiday

The strongest combinations are not built by adding a second stop to an itinerary. They are designed around destinations that complement each other. 

Each island should deepen the experience and offer something the other does not. Some hotel groups already encourage guests to divide a holiday between properties in different destinations. Travel sellers can take the same principle further, working with tourism boards, hotels and airlines to turn separate bookings into one coherent journey. 

The Power of Connected Experiences

At interCaribbean, our role is connecting YOU and the Caribbean. We link the people and places of the region so travellers can experience more of the Caribbean without treating each island as an entirely separate trip. 

When we do this well, travellers stay longer, spend across more communities and leave with a fuller understanding of the region. 

The Caribbean is often introduced through sun, sea and sand. But the reason people remember it is culture, cuisine and community. 

This is OUR Caribbean. Distinct islands, connected stories, and more than one way to experience them. 

 

trevor sadlerAuthor
Trevor Sadler
CEO, interCaribbean Airways

Trevor Sadler is Chief Executive Officer of interCaribbean Airways, a regional airline connecting people, places and communities across the Caribbean.

 

 

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Digital Discovery: How Travelers Are Actually Choosing Destinations Now

palm trees and lack

 

From Inspiration to Interrogation: Why Real-Time Conversation Is the New Frontier for Destination Marketing

Travelers don’t “search” for destinations anymore. They interrogate them.

Between AI assistants, conversational ads, and content that talks back, the path from curiosity to booking hasn’t just changed—it’s been redefined. For destinations competing for attention, that shift isn’t a threat. It’s an opening. And it’s already happening.

The First Signal: Bermuda Tourism

A recent campaign for Bermuda Tourism across 15 U.S. feeder markets offers a clear read on what’s happening.

Over three months, an AI-powered travel chat—embedded within premium travel content—generated 235,000 impressions, an 11.2% click-through rate, and nearly 40,000 high-intent engagements.

But the real signal isn’t just performance. It’s progression.

CTR didn’t spike—it climbed: 9.0% → 11.0% → 12.1%. Every month. No drop-off.

The takeaway is simple: the more travelers engage with conversational formats, the more they trust them.

But performance isn’t the headline. Behavior is.

When travelers leaned in, their questions clustered fast:

  • What can I do there? (~67%)
  • Where will I stay? (~35%)
  • How do I get there? (~28%)
  • What will I eat? (~16%)

No one is asking if it’s sunny. No one is asking if it’s beautiful. That decision is already made. They’re not discovering anymore—they’re planning.

A Second Proof Point: Visit Tampa Bay

This isn’t isolated.

In a campaign with Visit Tampa Bay, the same pattern emerged—this time with deeper insight across the UK and Germany.

Across 1,992 real traveler interactions:

  • 53% focused on things to do
  • Lodging searches jumped from 25% to 38% as travelers moved closer to booking
  • 21% centered on food and local culture

Different markets. Same behavior.

But here’s the shift: Tampa Bay didn’t just get campaign performance—they got real-time research.

Through Tiki’s Envoy platform, they captured insights traditional methods can’t match:

  • Scale: thousands of real interactions vs. limited survey panels
  • Quality: actual travelers actively planning trips
  • Speed: 3 weeks vs. 3–6 months

And most importantly—real questions, asked at the exact moment decisions are being made.

Questions like: “Where exactly is Tampa Bay?” and “Is it still worth visiting?”

That’s not data you analyze months later. That’s direction you act on now.

What This Means

The takeaway is clear:

  • Lead with experiences — that’s where travelers start
  • Simplify lodging and logistics — that’s where they go next
  • Use food and culture to differentiate — that’s what they remember
  • Show up when the question is asked — that delivers on their expectations.

Closing Thought

Travelers are telling us exactly what they want. Not in reports, or in surveys, but in questions. The destinations that listen and respond in the moment will close the gap between inspiration and booking faster than the rest.

 

scott schult TIKiScott Schult
VP Destination Strategy, Tiki

Scott is a travel technology strategist focused on digital transformation, AI strategy, and marketing innovation. He is known as a thought leader in the tech space, often sharing insights on the intersection of leadership, technology, and tourism strategy.

 

 

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CTO Names interCaribbean Airways Official Airline Partner for SOTIC 2026

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (August 7, 2026) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has named interCaribbean Airways the Official Airline Partner for the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) being held in Georgetown, Guyana, Oct. 5-9.

Under the agreement, interCaribbean Airways will offer a 25% discount on flights for SOTIC delegates and CTO members traveling to the conference. The partnership is designed to strengthen regional participation and improve accessibility for attendees from across the Caribbean.

“We are proud to partner with the Caribbean Tourism Organization as the Official Airline Partner for SOTIC 2026,” said Trevor Sadler, CEO of interCaribbean Airways. “As a regional airline, interCaribbean Airways is committed to strengthening connectivity across the Caribbean and making it easier for tourism leaders and stakeholders to come together to shape a smart, sustainable and inclusive future for the region. We look forward to welcoming delegates traveling to Georgetown for this important conference.”

intercaribbean airways logo

Focusing on the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive,” SOTIC is the Caribbean’s premier tourism gathering. It brings together ministers, commissioners, directors of tourism, private-sector leaders, aviation executives, media and other key stakeholders to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.

“Regional connectivity remains one of the most important issues facing Caribbean tourism, and this partnership demonstrates the critical role that collaboration and accessible air travel play in bringing our region together,”

said Dona Regis-Prosper, secretary-general and CEO of CTO. “The support of interCaribbean Airways will help ensure broader participation and enrich the important conversations taking place at this year’s conference.”

The interCaribbean Airways discount code will be shared with delegates upon registration.

Visit https://sotic.onecaribbean.org/ for more information.

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