BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Aug. 10, 2026) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization
Under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive”, SOTIC 2026 will be held, for the first time, in Georgetown, Guyana.
The Caribbean’s tourism industry stands at a defining moment where growth must be measured not just in arrivals, but in resilience, equity, and impact.
SOTIC 2026 brings the region’s tourism leaders, innovators, and stakeholders together to chart that path forward, exploring how smart technology, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth can shape the destinations of tomorrow.
We will delve into strategies to revitalize, innovate, and protect this vital industry, ensuring its continued growth and prosperity for generations to come.
Conference dates:
Data, intelligence, and innovation take centre stage — from destination research and source-market forecasting to the AI and digital tools reshaping how the Caribbean competes. Every session is built to turn insight into action.
Climate resilience and regenerative tourism run through the full programme, with Guyana's Indigenous-led destination model offered as a living case study. It's a conversation about protecting the assets that make the Caribbean worth visiting in the first place.
From the Future Leaders Forum to the Regional Tourism Youth Congress, SOTIC 2026 makes space for the region's next generation of tourism voices. Every sector, every generation, has a seat at the table.
Minister of Tourism & International
Transport, Barbados
Chairman, CTO Council of Ministers &
Commissioners of Tourism
CEO, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Chairman, CTO Board of Directors
Secretary-General & CEO
Caribbean Tourism Organization
CHARTING THE COURSE
This is where bold ideas meet real solutions—where we blend innovation with heritage to shape a tourism future that’s sustainable, competitive, and uniquely Caribbean.
Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute to the future of Caribbean tourism!
CEO, Cricket West Indies
Despite outstanding sojourns in finance, telecommunications and media, sports has been Chris Dehring’s core DNA. Recipient of the Order of Distinction Commander Class (C.D.) in 2019, his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of Cricket West Indies in February 2025 marks a return to his sporting roots.
View biography of Chris Dehring.
Manager, Client Relations, Caribbean Office, Afreximbank (African Export Import Bank)
Ermine is a seasoned banking professional with over two decades of experience in deal structuring, forging strategic partnerships that drive economic impact and securing sustainable project financing including renewable energy initiatives and tourism projects.
View biography of Ermine Darroux-Francis.
Director, Center for Medical Tourism Research
David G. Vequist IV, Ph.D. is the founder and Director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research - the premier academic Medical Tourism research institute.
View biography of David G. Vequist IV, Ph.D.
Director of Intelligence & Marketing, ForwardKeys
As the Director of Intelligence and Marketing at ForwardKeys, Olivier Ponti is one of the world’s most authoritative experts in travel research and destination marketing. He gives dozens of conference presentations and media interviews a year, cross-referencing ForwardKeys’ considerable data with numerous other sources, to identify new travel trends.
View biography of Olivier Ponti.
Senior Technical Specialist, Tourism, OECS Commission
Maria Fowell is an accomplished tourism management professional with over 27 years of experience spanning national, regional and corporate leadership across the Eastern Caribbean.
View biography of Maria Fowell.
V.P. Business Development & Consulting, Environics Analytics
Stan Ivankovic, as a Vice President of Business Development and Consulting at Environics Analytics, helps Travel and Tourism better understand their visitors and source markets using data and software engagements to meet the needs of each client.
View biography of Stan Ivankovic.
Lunch
Delegate Breakfast
Delegate Breakfast
Coffee Break & Networking | B2B | Local Vendor Market | CTO Services Presentation
Nestled in the heart of Georgetown, Atlantic Suites Hotel blends the best of Guyanese hospitality with sophisticated amenities and elegant style to create a unique and exclusive hub for business or leisure stays.
Experience a luxurious and relaxing stay at Pegasus Hotel Guyana. Located in Georgetown, Guyana, at the convergence of the Demerara River and Atlantic Ocean, Pegasus Hotel Guyana offers stunning seascape views, highlighted by the sightlines in our Aura Sky Lounge, which features a 360-degree view of Georgetown and the ocean.
Visit the Atlantic Suites by Hyatt website.
Visit Pegasus Hotel website.
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