Jamaica and More Nations to Appear in SOTIC Next Year in Antigua and Barbuda

Jamaica and More Nations to Appear in SOTIC Next Year in Antigua and Barbuda, as the Caribbean Tourism Organization prepares for its major regional tourism conference in October 2027. The event will bring together tourism leaders to discuss sustainable development, regional cooperation, investment opportunities and Caribbean tourism growth.

Antigua and Barbuda will host the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) from 4 to 8 October 2027, placing the twin-island nation at the centre of regional tourism discussions. The announcement has drawn attention to Caribbean destinations including Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, whose tourism sectors share important interests in regional connectivity, investment and sustainable development.

Although the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has not yet released an official country-by-country attendance list, its government membership provides an indication of the destinations that could be represented. The conference will bring together tourism policymakers, industry executives, destination marketing organisations and international partners to examine the Caribbean’s evolving visitor economy. For Antigua and Barbuda, the event also represents an opportunity to strengthen its meetings and conferences market while demonstrating its growing leadership within the regional tourism industry.

Antigua and Barbuda: Host Nation Strengthens Caribbean Tourism Leadership

Antigua and Barbuda’s selection as host coincides with two important CTO leadership appointments.

Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez has become chairman of the CTO Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism, while Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James chairs the organisation’s Board of Directors.

These appointments strengthen the country’s involvement in regional tourism policy, destination competitiveness and sustainable development.

Hosting SOTIC 2027 will also allow Antigua and Barbuda to showcase its hospitality infrastructure, luxury resorts, cultural attractions and growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector.

Fernandez has emphasised the importance of regional cooperation and using tourism to generate wider economic opportunities.

Jamaica: Air Connectivity and Tourism Competitiveness

Jamaica is among the Caribbean’s established tourism destinations and a relevant participant in discussions surrounding international air connectivity, destination marketing and visitor spending.

Its tourism industry combines resort development, cultural tourism, cruise travel and international airline partnerships.

SOTIC 2027 could provide an opportunity for Jamaican tourism stakeholders to exchange strategies on improving connectivity, strengthening tourism employment and maintaining competitiveness in major international source markets.

Discussions concerning infrastructure, sustainability and tourism investment would also be relevant to Jamaica’s long-term development priorities.

Barbados: Regional Cooperation and Sustainable Tourism

Barbados has played a significant role in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s leadership.

Its Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, previously chaired the CTO Council before Fernandez assumed the position in October 2026.

Barbados’ tourism experience makes it an important voice in discussions concerning sustainable destination management, hospitality standards and regional cooperation.

The country could contribute perspectives on balancing tourism growth with environmental protection, workforce development and stronger economic benefits for local communities.

Countries and Territories Expected to Be Represented at SOTIC 2027

According to the CTO’s official government membership information, the following 25 Caribbean countries and territories, including host Antigua and Barbuda, form the organisation’s government membership network and are potential participants in SOTIC 2027.

The Bahamas: Tourism Investment and Regional Representation

The Bahamas holds an important position within the CTO’s governance structure, having been elected to a vice-chairmanship representing CARICOM destinations.

Its tourism economy, supported by resorts, cruise tourism and marine attractions, provides relevant experience for discussions about investment and destination competitiveness.

The Bahamas’ participation in regional tourism dialogue could help advance conversations concerning aviation access, visitor diversification and sustainable development.

Its leadership role also reinforces the importance of cooperation between established tourism economies and smaller Caribbean destinations.

Guyana: Building on the Success of SOTIC 2026

Guyana hosted SOTIC 2026 in Georgetown, providing the immediate regional context for Antigua and Barbuda’s selection.

The 2026 conference explored smart tourism, sustainability, innovation and inclusive economic development.

Guyana’s expanding tourism profile, particularly its nature-based and community-focused experiences, offers perspectives on tourism diversification.

Its experience as the previous host could also contribute to discussions concerning conference organisation, regional collaboration and the economic opportunities associated with business tourism.

The transition from Guyana to Antigua and Barbuda demonstrates the CTO’s commitment to rotating its flagship conference across member destinations.

Saint Lucia: Luxury Tourism and Destination Development

Saint Lucia’s tourism industry is recognised for luxury hospitality, natural landscapes, wellness experiences and destination weddings.

Its established international tourism appeal makes it relevant to discussions about premium travel, sustainable development and destination differentiation.

SOTIC 2027 could provide a platform for Saint Lucian tourism professionals to explore emerging visitor expectations, investment opportunities and cooperation with regional travel partners.

The conference also offers a setting to examine how smaller island destinations can strengthen their international visibility while protecting natural and cultural resources.

Grenada: Sustainable Tourism and Community Experiences

Grenada’s tourism offering combines beaches, marine attractions, cultural heritage and its internationally recognised spice industry.

For Grenadian tourism stakeholders, regional discussions could focus on community-based tourism, environmental conservation and improving international access.

The country’s experience in developing distinctive visitor experiences provides a useful perspective on tourism diversification.

SOTIC 2027 may also encourage cooperation between destinations seeking to strengthen local supply chains, support smaller tourism enterprises and distribute visitor spending more widely.

Trinidad and Tobago: Business Tourism and Cultural Attractions

Trinidad and Tobago brings a different tourism perspective through its combination of business travel, cultural festivals, biodiversity and leisure experiences.

Trinidad’s commercial activities and Tobago’s established holiday market demonstrate the diversity of tourism products within a single destination.

Regional industry discussions could address business events, cultural tourism, airline connectivity and destination promotion.

These subjects are particularly relevant as Caribbean destinations seek to broaden their tourism economies beyond traditional beach holidays.

Saint Kitts and Nevis: Caribbean Tourism Governance and Growth

Saint Kitts and Nevis has been elected alongside The Bahamas to represent CARICOM destinations in the CTO’s vice-chairmanship structure.

Its involvement in regional tourism governance provides an opportunity to contribute to policy discussions affecting smaller island economies.

Tourism priorities include maintaining destination competitiveness, supporting hospitality investment and developing visitor experiences that reflect local culture and heritage.

The country’s leadership position makes it an important stakeholder in the CTO’s wider tourism development agenda.

British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands and Saint Martin: Regional Territories in Focus

Caribbean territories will also have a significant place in the organisation’s regional discussions.

The British Virgin Islands represents British overseas territories in the CTO’s vice-chairmanship structure, while the United States Virgin Islands represents US territories.

Saint Martin holds the equivalent position for French-speaking territories.

Their involvement highlights the importance of coordinating tourism development across different administrative jurisdictions.

Marine tourism, aviation access, cruise travel, environmental resilience and cross-border cooperation are among the subjects relevant to these destinations.

Caribbean Tourism Cooperation Takes Centre Stage in 2027

SOTIC 2027 will provide Antigua and Barbuda with an important opportunity to demonstrate its tourism capabilities while supporting regional industry cooperation.

For Jamaica, Barbados, The Bahamas, Guyana, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and other CTO member destinations, the conference offers a potential platform for addressing shared tourism priorities.

However, individual country attendance remains subject to official confirmation.

As preparations advance, the event is positioned to encourage discussions about investment, air connectivity, sustainability, workforce development and destination competitiveness, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in shaping the Caribbean tourism industry’s future.

SOTIC 2027 will strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s position as a leading Caribbean tourism destination while encouraging greater regional collaboration. With Jamaica and other Caribbean nations expected to participate, the conference will provide opportunities to address tourism challenges, improve connectivity, attract investment and support sustainable growth across the region.

The post Jamaica and More Nations to Appear in SOTIC Next Year in Antigua and Barbuda appeared first on Travel and Tour World