The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 is officially underway in Georgetown, Guyana, bringing together tourism leaders, industry partners, researchers, media, students and stakeholders from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Running through October 9, the conference is being held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive,” placing the future of Caribbean tourism at the center of discussions and exchanges throughout the week.

The opening program includes the Future Leaders Forum, “From the Classroom to the Caribbean: Conversations with Tourism Leaders,” designed to connect emerging tourism professionals with industry leaders. The agenda also features a Cruise Master Class, focused on maximizing destination value through cruise tourism, as well as a meeting of the CTO Board of Directors.

Throughout SOTIC 2026, participants will address some of the most important issues facing Caribbean destinations, including airlift and accessibility, competitiveness, tourism intelligence, technology, investment, sustainability and destination development.

Hosting the conference in Guyana also highlights the country’s growing role within the Caribbean tourism landscape and its efforts to strengthen its position as a destination while contributing to the region’s broader tourism diversification.

SOTIC 2026 provides a key platform for governments, businesses, tourism professionals, researchers and future industry leaders to exchange ideas and explore how the Caribbean can build a tourism sector that is smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive.