Guyana Selected to Host 2026 Caribbean Tourism Organization Conference

The Caribbean Tourism Organization has announced that Guyana will host the State of the Tourism Industry Conference in October 2026, marking the first time the country will stage the event.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has selected Guyana to host its State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Georgetown from October 5 to 9, 2026. This marks the first time Guyana will stage the conference since its inception.

SOTIC is the CTO’s principal forum for examining critical issues, sharing innovation, and shaping the future direction of Caribbean tourism. The event brings together Caribbean tourism leaders, international delegates, policymakers, youth representatives, journalists, and industry stakeholders.

The most recent edition of SOTIC was held in Barbados under the theme “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism: Research, Relevance and the Road Ahead.” For 2026, CTO has set the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences,” with a focus on community-centered tourism experiences.

Susan Rodrigues, Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, described the selection as a milestone reflecting growing regional confidence in Guyana’s tourism leadership and its expanding role in regional dialogue. Rodrigues said the event positions Guyana as a major player in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism segment.

CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper emphasized the organization’s focus on community-centered tourism experiences under the 2026 theme and cited Guyana as a destination that exemplifies these priorities. Regis-Prosper noted the region’s resilience and commitment to building an inclusive, future-ready tourism sector, with these themes expected to feature prominently during the Guyana-hosted conference.

Details on registration, programming, and venue will be announced through official CTO and Guyana Tourism Authority channels as planning advances.