In Brief: The Caribbean Tourism Organization has selected Antigua and Barbuda as the host for its State of the Tourism Industry Conference in 2027, providing the destination with a platform to engage industry stakeholders and showcase its tourism offerings.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced that Antigua and Barbuda will host the 2027 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) Oct. 4-8, 2027, bringing the region’s leading tourism forum to the twin-island nation.
The announcement was made during the final day of SOTIC 2026 in Georgetown, Guyana, where tourism ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, private-sector executives, regional and international partners, academics, media, young people and other industry stakeholders gathered to examine the issues shaping Caribbean tourism.
“Antigua and Barbuda has demonstrated a strong commitment to tourism development and regional collaboration, and we look forward to bringing the Caribbean tourism community together there for SOTIC 2027,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, secretary-general and CEO of CTO. “Each SOTIC gives us an important opportunity to examine the issues affecting our industry, share knowledge and strengthen the partnerships that will help Caribbean tourism remain competitive, sustainable and inclusive.”
Charles “Max” Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda’s minister of tourism, civil aviation, transportation and investments and the newly elected CTO chairman, welcomed the announcement, saying the destination looks forward to hosting tourism leaders and partners from across the region and beyond.
“Antigua and Barbuda is honored to welcome the Caribbean tourism community for SOTIC 2027,” Fernandez said. “We look forward to sharing the warmth and hospitality of our people while providing a setting for meaningful dialogue about the opportunities and challenges ahead.
“Hosting SOTIC will also allow us to showcase the continued evolution and advancement of our tourism product and the experiences that distinguish our twin-island destination. We are deeply committed to the Caribbean and to working with our regional partners to strengthen tourism as a force for shared prosperity, resilience and opportunity across our region.”
“We are excited to welcome SOTIC to Antigua and Barbuda and to give delegates an opportunity to experience our destination while engaging in important conversations about the future of Caribbean tourism,” said Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and chair of the CTO Board of Directors. “SOTIC brings together many of the people shaping tourism across our region, and we look forward to creating an environment that encourages collaboration, fresh thinking and meaningful connections while showcasing the people, culture and experiences that make Antigua and Barbuda distinctive.”
Regis-Prosper thanked the government of Guyana and its tourism partners for hosting SOTIC 2026 and said the transition to Antigua and Barbuda reflects CTO’s continued commitment to taking its flagship conference across the region.
Additional information on SOTIC 2027, including the conference theme, program, registration and accommodations, will be announced in the coming months.
SOTIC 2026 was supported by official conference partners Amadeus and the Inter-American Development Bank, Tourism Intelligence Awards sponsor ASM Global Route Development, contributing sponsors the Association of Value Airlines, Digicel Business and Atlantic Suites Hotel, Youth Congress sponsor Carnival Corporation, and official airline partner interCaribbean Airways.