Building A Resilient, Innovative, Sustainable & Inclusive Tourism Sector
The future of Caribbean tourism depends on strategic partnerships, youth engagement, and a focus on sustainable, innovative, and inclusive product offerings.
This was emphasised by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Board of Directors, Andrea Franklin; CTO Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, Dona Regis-Prosper; and Chairperson of the Regional Tourism Youth Congress, Keyana Warner.
They shared their perspectives during the opening ceremony of the CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2025, held this morning under the theme “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism: Research, Relevance and the Road Ahead.”
Speaking on the theme, Ms. Franklin described it as a rallying call for collective action and regional unity.
“This really is a call to action, a call for us to embrace research and data-driven decision making, to ensure our work remains relevant to the evolving needs of travellers and communities and to walk confidently into the future with a shared vision for Caribbean tourism. Barbados is proud to stand firm with our Caribbean neighbours in this collective journey. Our commitment goes beyond national borders, because we know that the strength of Caribbean tourism lies in regional collaboration.
“Together we can harness our diversity, our innovation and our shared cultural wealth to create an industry that not only survives but thrives; one that is resilient, inclusive and sustainable for generations to come,” said Chairman Franklin.
Ms. Regis-Prosper described SOTIC as the region’s flagship tourism forum, a platform for reflection, collaboration, and charting the sector’s future.
“All of you are here today to contribute to this ongoing evolution of Caribbean tourism that is powerful and purposeful. This morning is extremely special to me because it marks a very small but significant shift in how we at the Caribbean Tourism Organization choose to lead and engage…. And this year, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and energy,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of youth engagement, Miss Warner, who is Junior Minister of Tourism for Nevis, commended the CTO for ensuring that young voices are included in SOTIC’s discussions.
“For us, reimagining tourism means building a sector that is resilient, innovative, sustainable and inclusive, one that empowers communities, safeguards our environment and embraces technology to strengthen global competitiveness. We envision a future where research guides policies and ensures evidence-based decisions.
“We seek relevance that keeps the Caribbean at the forefront of global tourism grounded in authenticity and cultural pride, and as we view the road ahead as an opportunity for collaboration and renewal, ensuring that tourism remains a driver of prosperity for generations to come,” Miss Warner said.
She affirmed that she and other regional youth are committed to contributing, leading, and helping to reimagine Caribbean tourism for a brighter tomorrow.
Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg