After a five-year hiatus, the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) flagship event, the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), begins today in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
Bringing together government and private sector tourism leaders from its member countries under the theme “Invest. Innovate. Inspire – A new model for tourism growth in the Caribbean”, SOTIC provides stakeholders with a unique opportunity to collaboratively examine tourism investment and financing in the Caribbean.
Chairing the conference for the first time, Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and Executive Director of the intergovernmental body, invited delegates to share their perspectives on how best to revitalize the Caribbean tourism industry and establish efficient frameworks for public-private partnerships prosperous during the two-day conference, which follows two days of destination briefings for members of the media and business meetings.
“Tourism Investment and Financing in the Caribbean” is the focus of presentations and panels taking place on Wednesday, October 11, while delegates will explore “Drivers of Tourism Growth in the Caribbean” as an overarching theme on Thursday, October 12. October.
Receiving travel and tourism journalists from the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as local media yesterday, Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism of the Turks and Caicos Islands, presented a vision comprehensive of the archipelago’s tourism product, its culture and history, and plans for the sustainable development of its vital industry.
Following the Turks and Caicos Islands presentation, invited media received destination briefings and updates from tourism representatives from other CTO member countries and territories in attendance, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands , the Cayman Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Saint Kitts, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, United States Virgin Islands and Tobago.
Monday’s program also included a meeting of the CTO Executive Committee, while meetings of the CTO Board of Directors and the Council of Ministers and Tourism Commissioners were held on Tuesday.
Presentations and panel discussions at SOTIC will address topics such as Sustainable Financing for Caribbean Tourism; Insights into investment trends, partnerships and maximizing tourism growth; Strategies to Position Caribbean Tourism for New Investment Opportunities; Sustainability: the new tool in the destination marketing mix; Aviation Competitiveness in the Caribbean; Digital transformation in tourism: a roadmap for the Caribbean; Engaging the filmed entertainment industry to promote Caribbean tourism: opportunities and challenges; and stakeholders talk about the path to tourism growth in the context of the TCI experience.
The conference agenda also includes a recorded video message from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and a keynote address, which will be delivered by Franz Rojas-Ortuste, Director of the Water and Analysis Division. Rehabilitation of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America. and the Caribbean.
In addition to ministers and commissioners of tourism and other related ministries; directors and CEOs of tourism authorities, boards and destination marketing organizations; and members of the media, SOTIC facilitates the participation of regional and international representatives from investment entities, financing institutions, airlines, cruise lines, accommodation providers, real estate developers and academics in meaningful discussions on important issues affecting development of the region’s tourism sector.
The popular CTO Caribbean Youth Tourism Congress, which invites students aged 14-17 from CTO member countries and territories to investigate various facets of the tourism sector and share their ideas and visions on the future directions of tourism Caribbean, will take place on Friday. October 13, at Turks and Caicos Beaches. Following the students’ presentations, a young man will be appointed as the Junior Regional Minister of Tourism for 2023-2024, which includes serving as a youth ambassador for himself and the region for one year.
SOTIC 2023 concludes with a press conference and summary immediately following the Youth Congress proceedings.
Source: CTO
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