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The Caribbean Tourism Organization has selected Guyana to host its State of the Tourism Industry Conference in October 2026, marking the first time the country will stage the region’s most prominent tourism forum since the conference began.
The event will take place in Georgetown from Oct. 5 through Oct. 9, 2026, bringing hundreds of tourism leaders, policymakers, international delegates, youth representatives, journalists and private-sector stakeholders to the Guyanese capital. SOTIC is the CTO’s primary annual gathering, serving as the forum where regional priorities are debated, new ideas are shared and the direction of Caribbean tourism policy is shaped.
A Milestone Moment for Guyana
Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, described the selection as a reflection of growing confidence in the country’s tourism leadership and its role in regional conversations.
She said hosting SOTIC places Guyana firmly on the map as a destination for meetings and conferences, highlighting the opportunity to attract high-value business travel tied to regional and international events.
The conference is expected to position Georgetown as a focal point for Caribbean tourism dialogue while giving delegates direct exposure to Guyana’s expanding tourism offering.
CTO Focus Turns to Community and Experience
The decision follows the most recent SOTIC conference in Barbados, which centered on the theme “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism: Research, Relevance and the Road Ahead.” CTO officials have indicated that community-centered tourism and inclusive growth will continue to guide discussions heading into 2026.
CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper has pointed to Guyana as an example of those priorities, citing its emphasis on locally rooted tourism experiences alongside growing business and events capacity. The 2026 conference will align with the CTO’s broader theme, One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.
A Platform to Showcase Guyana
Hosting SOTIC gives Guyana an opportunity to present its tourism product directly to regional and global decision-makers. Officials have emphasized the country’s mix of ecotourism, adventure travel, cultural heritage and business facilities as key elements likely to feature during the conference week.
The selection also reflects ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure and destination development, as Guyana continues to expand its presence within the wider Caribbean tourism landscape.
What Comes Next
The Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Guyana Tourism Authority will release additional details on registration, programming and venues as planning moves forward.
The 2026 conference is expected to draw sustained regional attention to Georgetown and further cement Guyana’s role in shaping the next phase of Caribbean tourism.
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