Council of Ministers Meeting

Council of Ministers Meeting

Riverview Room (3rd Floor)

(By invitation only)

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.

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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.

CTO Annual General Meeting

CTO Annual General Meeting

Riverview Room (3rd Floor)

(By invitation only)

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

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

Coffee Break

Roundabout Outside Lobby

Coffee Break & Networking | B2B for Allied Members | Local Vendor Market | CTO Services Presentation

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.

Caribbean Accommodation Sector Outlook

Atlantic Conference Center

Caribbean Accommodation Sector Outlook

Forward Travel Demand & Source Market Outlook

Atlantic Conference Center

Forward Travel Demand & Source Market Outlook

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.

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.

Coffee Break & Networking

Roundabout Outside Lobby Coffee Break and Networking | B2B for Allied Members | Local Vendor Market | CTO Services Presentation

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.

Ministers & Commissioners' Dinner

Ministers' & Commissioners' Dinner

By invitation only

Dine-Around options for all other delegates

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.

Coffee Break & Networking

Roundabout Outside Lobby

Coffee Break & Networking | B2B | Local Vendor Market | CTO Services Presentation

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.

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.

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.

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’.

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

Destination Media Briefings

Destination Media Briefings Atlantic Conference Center

One-on-one meetings with the CTO Secretariat

One-on-one meetings with the CTO Secretariat by appointment only.

CTO Press Conference

CTO Press Conference

Media Luncheon

Media Luncheon

Destination Media Briefings

Destination Media Briefings CTO Press Conference: Incoming Chair and Vice Chairs Atlantic Conference Center