Smart. Sustainable. Inclusive.
Download full programme (pdf- updated at October 4, 2026)
View Transportation Schedule for SOTIC 2026 (xlsx).
View SOTIC 2026 Packing Guide.
Kindly note that the scheduled transportation service is available only to registered SOTIC delegates staying at the designated partner hotels listed below. Delegates staying at accommodations outside of the above-listed partner hotels will therefore need to make their own transportation arrangements to and from the designated SOTIC venues/events.- Pegasus Hotel
- Atlantic Suites by Hyatt
- Plaza Court Hotel
- Jewelz by King’s Hotel
- Aiden Hotel
- Grand Coastal Hotel
- Cara Lodge
- Herdmanston Lodge
- Georgetown Marriott Hotel
- Four Points by Sheraton Georgetown
- AC Hotel Georgetown Guyana
Future Leaders Forum: From the Classroom to the Caribbean
Exhibition Center
This session provides an interactive platform for students and emerging tourism professionals to engage directly with leaders from across the Caribbean tourism sector.
Hon. Charles 'Max' Fernandez
Kamrul Baksh
Dr. Malou C. Harrison
Narendra Ramgulam
Jolé St John
Cruise Master Class: Maximizing Destination Value Through Cruise Tourism
Exhibition Center
Runs concurrently with the Board of Directors Meeting
This interactive masterclass will be facilitated by Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence and will provide practical strategies and insights to help destinations maximize the economic benefits of cruise tourism while enhancing visitor experiences and supporting sustainable regional growth.
Michele Paige
Ambra Attus
Beth Hatt
Norris Clement
Caribbean Tourism Research Forum: Advancing a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Caribbean
Exhibition Center
The Caribbean Tourism Research Forum provides a platform for tourism researchers, destination officials and industry practitioners to share current research and demonstrate how evidence can inform tourism policy, marketing, product development and investment decisions. The forum will feature brief opening remarks from UN Tourism, followed by presentations highlighting applied research from across the region.
Roberto Duran-Fernandez
Heitor Kadri
Dr. Maya Trotz
Dr Sherma Roberts
Casey Davy
Correy Mitchell
Kevon Wilson
Brooke Meyer
Mariko Wallen
Dr. Aletha Connelly
Geraine Georges
Beverley Wilson
Amadeus Big Data Workshop: Turning Travel Intelligence into Destination Advantage
Exhibition Center
This session will provide a practical exploration of how tourism destinations can use big data and market intelligence to strengthen planning, marketing and decision-making.
It will introduce participants to the ways in which large-scale travel data can be used to better understand visitor demand, source-market performance, travel patterns and emerging opportunities, and demonstrate how data-driven insights can support more targeted and timely destination strategies.
Luis Millan
Franz Müller
Beverley Wilson
Welcome Reception: Elegance of the Amazonia
Hosted by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana
An enchanting evening inspired by the beauty, richness and spirit of the Amazon, welcoming Ministers, distinguished delegates and specially invited guests to celebrate Guyana’s unique heritage and the connections that unite us.
Dress Code: Elegant Amazonian Chic - lush colours, jewel tones, botanical influences, natural textures and elegant evening wear
Kamrul Baksh
Colin James
Opening Ceremony
Atlantic Conference Center
The Grand Opening Ceremony will officially launch the conference with a distinguished gathering of Ministers, government leaders, tourism stakeholders and specially invited guests.
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, will deliver the keynote address and formally declare the conference open.
The ceremony will spotlight Guyana’s growing position on the global tourism stage, while setting the tone for a programme focused on innovation, investment, collaboration and the future of tourism. Through powerful remarks and a celebration of Guyana’s rich culture, natural heritage and people, the opening will welcome delegates and inspire meaningful dialogue and partnerships throughout the conference.
Dress Code: Business Formal
HE Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali
Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill
Hon Susan Rodrigues
Andrea Franklin
Dona Regis-Prosper
Kamrul Baksh
Ivan Alonzo Gaviria
State of the Industry Presentation
Atlantic Conference Center
Caribbean Tourism Performance and Outlook This session will provide a data-led assessment of the state of Caribbean tourism, bringing together current performance indicators and forward-looking market intelligence.
CTO will set the regional context, followed by an outlook for the Caribbean accommodation sector by CHTA and an assessment of forward travel demand and source-market trends by Amadeus.
The presentations will give ministers, destination leaders and industry stakeholders a concise view of where the sector stands, the demand signals shaping the months ahead, and the implications for destination strategy, marketing and planning.
Aliyyah Shakeer
Caribbean Accommodation Sector Outlook
Atlantic Conference Center
Caribbean Accommodation Sector Outlook
Vanessa Ledesma
Forward Travel Demand & Source Market Outlook
Atlantic Conference Center
Forward Travel Demand & Source Market Outlook
Olivier Ponti
Caribbean Tourism Intelligence Awards Luncheon
Fusion Restaurant
The Tourism Intelligence Award Luncheon will recognize excellence in tourism intelligence and reinforce the value of research, data and evidence in strengthening Caribbean tourism decision-making. The programme will include a welcome, an address on the awards and the presentation of the award, with the luncheon serving as a platform to celebrate achievement and encourage continued investment in tourism research and intelligence across the region.
Neil Walters
Sharon Banfield-Bovell
Taraneh Azimi
Connected Caribbean — Airlift, Access & Seamless Travel
Atlantic Conference Center
This panel will examine how the Caribbean can strengthen air access and make travel to and within the region more seamless.
The discussion will bring together aviation, airport, airline, technology and destination perspectives to consider route development, capacity and connectivity; the economics of regional and international airlift; airport and destination readiness; the use of technology to improve the passenger journey; and opportunities for greater collaboration across governments and the private sector. The session will focus on practical actions that can improve access, competitiveness and the overall travel experience while supporting sustainable tourism growth.
Donovan White
Trevor Sadler
Jonathon Freye
Dr. Rafael Echevarne
Lee Lipton
Uriel Torres
Ramesh Ghir
Laura Dowrich
Future-Ready Caribbean Tourism: Technology, Talent and Sustainable Transformation
Atlantic Conference Center This panel will explore how Caribbean tourism can prepare for the next phase of transformation by aligning technology, people and sustainability. The discussion will consider the practical adoption of digital tools and artificial intelligence; workforce skills and talent development; organizational readiness and innovation; and the need to ensure that transformation strengthens resilience, competitiveness and sustainability. Panelists will bring perspectives from destination leadership, academia, technology and workforce development, with an emphasis on what tourism organizations can do now to build a more adaptive, productive and future-ready sector.
Hon. Edmund Bartlett
Jan Hutton
Norris Clement
Dr. Acolla Cameron
Eldon Marks
John Quail
Ministerial Session: Competing for Tomorrow— Ministerial Priorities for a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Caribbean
Atlantic Conference Center
This high-level ministerial session will examine the policy priorities required to keep Caribbean tourism competitive in a rapidly changing global environment.
Ministers will discuss how destinations are balancing growth with sustainability and inclusion while responding to issues such as investment, connectivity, climate resilience, digital transformation, workforce development, community participation and changing visitor expectations. The session will provide a forward-looking exchange on where policy attention and regional cooperation are most needed to build a smarter, more resilient and more inclusive Caribbean tourism economy.
Hon. Dr Ernest Hilaire
Hon Susan Rodrigues
Hon. Cardigan Adolphus Connor
Hon. Zhavargo Jolly
Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith
Ryan Bachoo
Panel: Rooted in Place — Indigenous Tourism & the Future of Regenerative Caribbean Destinations
Atlantic Conference Center
This panel will explore how Indigenous tourism can contribute to regenerative destination development while protecting culture, strengthening community ownership and creating meaningful local benefit.
The discussion will consider community-led product development, cultural heritage and storytelling, the role of destination organizations in supporting Indigenous tourism, and how tourism can be developed in ways that respect identity, land, traditions and local priorities. Bringing together destination, product-development and community perspectives, the session will focus on approaches that move beyond sustainability toward tourism that actively strengthens places, people and cultural continuity.
Hon. Sarah Browne-Shadeek
Hon. Yvonne Fredericks-Pearson
Nicole Solano
Micah Davis
Candace Phillips
Ron Fanfair
Panel: From Roots to Revenue: Food, Culture and the Creative Economy in Caribbean Tourism
Atlantic Conference Center
This panel will examine how Caribbean destinations can translate the region’s food, culture and creativity into stronger tourism value chains and more inclusive economic opportunities. The discussion will connect destination branding and visitor experience with agriculture, local sourcing, culinary tourism, festivals, cultural expression, entrepreneurship and the creative industries.
Panelists will consider how destinations can retain more tourism value locally, strengthen linkages between tourism and producers, support authentic cultural experiences, and create pathways for small businesses and communities to participate more meaningfully in the visitor economy.
Aïda Weinum
Tenisha Brown
Charmaine Spencer
Irwine G. Clare
Shaun McGrath
Nneka A. Nurse
Dionne Ligoure
Allister Glean
Investing in Guyana Luncheon
Investing in Guyana Luncheon presented by the Guyana Office for Investment.
Fusion Restaurant
The Investing in Guyana Luncheon will provide delegates with a focused look at Guyana’s investment environment and the opportunities emerging alongside the country’s tourism growth. The session will highlight the investment proposition, areas of opportunity relevant to tourism and related sectors, and the role of investment in supporting infrastructure, product development and wider economic growth. It will also give participants an opportunity to hear directly from Guyana’s investment leadership and better understand the country’s priorities and potential for tourism-related investment.
Hon Peter R. Ramsaroop
Roy Bassoo
Andres Botero Toro
John Edghill
Regional Tourism Youth Congress: Caribbean Tourism Through the Eyes of Tomorrow
Atlantic Conference Center
The Regional Tourism Youth Congress (YC) is an integral part of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) annual tourism programme and is a regional activity involving students between the ages of 14 and 17 from CTO member countries.
It is a highly informative and engaging event, where tourism industry leaders and practitioners would gather to hear innovative and creative ideas and solutions to regional tourism issues, directly from the future movers and shakers of our tourism industry. The theme of this event is ‘Caribbean Tourism Through the Eyes of Tomorrow’.
Dr. Armstrong Alexis
Marie S. McKenzie
Jacqueline Johnson
Sharon Banfield-Bovell
Jolé St John
Nicolas Scott
Cultural Night
Cultural Night with Guyana's culture, cuisine, music and creative expression.
Railway Courtyard (off-site)
Entertainment and networking, Cultural Night reinforces the conference's focus on authentic, place-based tourism. It demonstrates how culture and creativity contribute directly to the visitor experience — a living example of the themes discussed throughout SOTIC 2026.
Dress Code: Colours of Guyana
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Official Conference Airline
Official Conference Partners
Youth Congress
Tourism Intelligence Award
Contributing Sponsor
