2026 News

Caribbean Tourism Organization Marks World Tourism Day 2026

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Sept. 27, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is marking World Tourism Day 2026 by calling for a Caribbean approach to technology that strengthens tourism while keeping people, communities and culture at the center.

This year’s theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” comes as technology continues to change the way people plan and book travel, discover destinations and share their experiences, as well as how tourism businesses and organizations operate. CTO’s World Tourism Day program on Monday, Sept. 28 is focused on helping the region translate those changes into practical benefits for the sector.

“For the Caribbean, the question is not simply how quickly we adopt new technology,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, secretary-general and CEO of CTO. “It is how we use it in ways that make tourism work better for our destinations, our businesses, our communities and our people.”

That approach is closely aligned with CTO’s Reimagine Plan 2025–2027, which is organized around six strategic pillars: Advocacy, Market Competitiveness, Tourism Intelligence, Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism, People Development, and Operational Excellence.

“Technology touches every part of that agenda,” Regis-Prosper said. “It can give us better information, help destinations understand what travelers want, support stronger planning, help us manage tourism more responsibly, strengthen the skills of our people and allow our organizations and businesses to work more effectively.”

She stressed that the Caribbean must remain focused on what makes the region distinctive. “Tourism in the Caribbean is built on human connection. It is our hospitality, our culture, our communities, our stories and our sense of place that make this region special. Technology should support those strengths, not take their place.”

CTO is putting that philosophy into practice on Monday, Sept. 28, through its World Tourism Day AI Tourism Bootcamp, designed to give tourism professionals practical experience using digital tools in their everyday work.

The Bootcamp follows a “Learn. Build. Share. Implement.” approach, with participants expected to leave with a practical tourism product or asset that can be further developed and used within their organizations.

The program is aimed at ministries and tourism departments, community tourism organizations, small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises, young tourism professionals, students and entrepreneurs. Registration is open at:

https://bit.ly/CTO-World-Tourism-Day-2026-AI-Tourism-Bootcamp.

Regis-Prosper said access and skills development will be especially important as the industry changes. “We have to make sure progress is shared. Smaller destinations, small businesses, young people and communities must have access to the knowledge and tools they need to participate fully in the changing tourism landscape.”

The conversation will continue in Guyana at CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), Oct. 5-9, under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” SOTIC will examine several of the issues shaping the future of Caribbean tourism, including technology, research, talent, sustainability, connectivity and competitiveness.

“World Tourism Day is not only about celebrating tourism. It is an opportunity to ask how we make it stronger, fairer and more valuable to the people who depend on it,” Regis-Prosper said.

“The future of Caribbean tourism will not be shaped by technology alone. It will be shaped by how wisely we use it, how well we prepare our people and how clearly we remain focused on creating lasting benefits for the Caribbean.”

CTO names Beverley Wilson deputy director of research

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Sept. 15, 2026) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has appointed Guyanese national Beverley Wilson as deputy director of research, strengthening the organization’s capacity to deliver timely, relevant tourism intelligence and support evidence-based decision-making across its member countries.

Wilson officially assumed her duties Sept. 1 and will provide technical leadership in tourism statistics, data quality, forecasting and statistical analysis.

The appointment directly supports tourism intelligence, one of five strategic pillars guiding CTO’s work under the Reimagine Plan 2025–2027. Through this pillar, CTO aims to strengthen its role as a center for tourism excellence and intelligence serving Caribbean stakeholders by improving data systems, expanding market intelligence and technical advisory capacity, and promoting the timely, transparent exchange of tourism information. The other four pillars are advocacy, market competitiveness, sustainable and regenerative tourism, and people development.

“Reliable tourism intelligence is fundamental to making better decisions and strengthening the competitiveness of the Caribbean,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO secretary-general and CEO. “Beverley brings considerable technical expertise and a strong understanding of the regional environment. Her appointment strengthens our ability to provide our members with the data, analysis and insights they need to navigate an increasingly complex tourism landscape.”

Wilson brings more than 20 years of experience spanning economic and statistical analysis, policy evaluation, banking and finance, and education. Her technical expertise includes econometric modeling and forecasting, statistical methodology and data governance. She has worked at the Bank of Guyana, Montserrat’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, and The University of the West Indies. She has also served as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

In her new role, Wilson will help strengthen tourism statistical systems, improve the availability and application of tourism intelligence, and support evidence-based planning and decision-making among member countries.

Wilson holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, a graduate diploma in development studies and a master’s degree in quantitative finance. She has also completed a range of professional development and technical training programs and has a particular interest in tourism development and data-driven decision-making.

CTO appoints Courtney-Diana Walker as program officer, sustainable tourism

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Sept. 9, 2026) —The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has appointed Barbadian tourism and communications professional Courtney-Diana Walker as program officer, sustainable tourism, strengthening the organization’s capacity to advance sustainable and regenerative tourism development across the Caribbean.

Walker officially assumed her duties Sept. 1 and will support Narendra Ramgulam, CTO’s deputy director of sustainable tourism, in the implementation of programs and initiatives aligned with the organization’s sustainable tourism priorities.

The appointment also supports the CTO Reimagine Plan 2025–2027, under which Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism is one of five primary strategic pillars guiding the organization’s work. The pillar reflects CTO’s focus on strengthening the long-term sustainability, resilience and competitiveness of Caribbean tourism while ensuring that the sector delivers meaningful benefits for Caribbean people and communities.

Courtney-Diana Walker

“Courtney-Diana brings a valuable combination of regional perspective, academic grounding, communications expertise and a strong commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO secretary-general and CEO. “Her appointment strengthens our capacity to deliver on an important pillar of the Reimagine Plan as we work with our members and partners to advance tourism development that creates lasting economic, social and environmental value across the Caribbean.”

Walker has a multidisciplinary background spanning sustainable tourism, cultural development, strategic communications, events, research and stakeholder engagement. Her experience across public, private and institutional environments has given her a broad understanding of the Caribbean’s tourism and cultural landscape.

She holds a master’s degree in Cultural Studies from The University of the West Indies (UWI) and is completing a Master of Science in Tourism and Sports Management at UWI Cave Hill.

Her professional experience includes project coordination, program development, strategic communications, event management, research, and engagement with stakeholders across the region. She has also worked with initiatives supporting the creative and tourism industries with particular interests in sustainable and inclusive tourism, destination development, and the role of tourism in generating economic and social impact.

In her new role, Walker will contribute to CTO’s work to strengthen sustainable tourism practices, support destination development and advance initiatives that reinforce the organization’s purpose of “Leading Sustainable Tourism – One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.”