Black Meetings & Tourism - CTO REGIONAL TOURISM YOUTH CONGRESS RETURNS AT SOTIC 2025 IN BARBADOS

Industry Briefs
CTO REGIONAL TOURISM YOUTH CONGRESS RETURNS AT SOTIC 2025 IN BARBADOS
Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO's Director of Resource Mobilization and Development The highly anticipated Regional Tourism Youth Congress, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., will return this year as a major highlight of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), taking place in Barbados. The Youth Congress, one of CTO's signature developmental initiatives, brings together students aged 14 to 17 from across the region, each serving as a "Junior Minister/Commissioner of Tourism". This year's participants, representing 16 CTO member countries and territories, will present their research and innovative perspectives on the future of Caribbean tourism. The spirited exchanges, set for October 2, are designed to foster critical thinking, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the sector while providing delegates with a glimpse into the vision of the next generation. Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO's Director of Resource Mobilization and Development, stated that the Youth Congress and its preceding events serve a critical function in educating the next generation about tourism's considerable impact on the region. "This initiative transcends a simple competition," she explained. "It represents a fundamental pathway to developing future tourism advocates and innovators who will help define the trajectory of the Caribbean tourism sector." In addition to competing, students will participate in the broader conference program, including a Tourism Youth Congress Master Class led by Ed Limon, Cofounder and CEO of Winged Whale Media - an award-winning XR/AI studio recognized for its pioneering work in immersive media and virtual tourism innovation. They will also benefit from another key session, "Level Up: A Teen Career Launchpad Workshop for Work, Life & Leadership", facilitated by Davina Layne of Your Corporate Image. Last year, in the Cayman Islands, Keyana Warner of Nevis captured the top honor at the 20th CTO Tropical Shipping Regional Tourism Youth Congress, impressing judges and delegates alike with her insights and delivery. This year's competition promises to be equally dynamic, with young leaders ready to showcase their passion for shaping the region's most vital industry. A total of 16 countries and territories will be represented in the 2025 Youth Congress: Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Bahamas Barbados British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Dominica Grenada Jamaica Nevis Saint Lucia St. Eustatius St. Kitts St. Vincent & the Grenadines Tobago U.S. Virgin Islands The Congress is sponsored and supported by Breeze Travel Solutions, Carnival Corporation & plc, Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx), Marketplace Excellence (MPE), and Winged Whale Media. It continues to serve as an important platform for empowering young Caribbean citizens, offering them exposure, mentorship and the opportunity to play a role in shaping the region's tourism narrative. For more information about the conference, taking place September 30 to October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort, visit https://sotic.onecaribbean.org . About the Caribbean Tourism Organization The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean's tourism development agency, comprising membership of the region's finest countries and territories, including Dutch-, English- and French-speaking, as well as a range of private sector allied members. The CTO's vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm-weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean. Among the benefits to its members, the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution, and research & information technology. The CTO's headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026. Tel: +1 246 427-5242; Email: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com For more information about the Caribbean Tourism Organization, visit www.OneCaribbean.org and follow the CTO on Facebook , X , Instagram and LinkedIn to be part of the conversation.

Industry Briefs

CTO REGIONAL TOURISM YOUTH CONGRESS RETURNS AT SOTIC 2025 IN BARBADOS

Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO's Director of Resource Mobilization and Development

The highly anticipated Regional Tourism Youth Congress, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., will return this year as a major highlight of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), taking place in Barbados.

The Youth Congress, one of CTO's signature developmental initiatives, brings together students aged 14 to 17 from across the region, each serving as a "Junior Minister/Commissioner of Tourism".

This year's participants, representing 16 CTO member countries and territories, will present their research and innovative perspectives on the future of Caribbean tourism. The spirited exchanges, set for October 2, are designed to foster critical thinking, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the sector while providing delegates with a glimpse into the vision of the next generation.

Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO's Director of Resource Mobilization and Development, stated that the Youth Congress and its preceding events serve a critical function in educating the next generation about tourism's considerable impact on the region. "This initiative transcends a simple competition," she explained. "It represents a fundamental pathway to developing future tourism advocates and innovators who will help define the trajectory of the Caribbean tourism sector."

In addition to competing, students will participate in the broader conference program, including a Tourism Youth Congress Master Class led by Ed Limon, Cofounder and CEO of Winged Whale Media - an award-winning XR/AI studio recognized for its pioneering work in immersive media and virtual tourism innovation. They will also benefit from another key session, "Level Up: A Teen Career Launchpad Workshop for Work, Life & Leadership", facilitated by Davina Layne of Your Corporate Image.

Last year, in the Cayman Islands, Keyana Warner of Nevis captured the top honor at the 20th CTO Tropical Shipping Regional Tourism Youth Congress, impressing judges and delegates alike with her insights and delivery. This year's competition promises to be equally dynamic, with young leaders ready to showcase their passion for shaping the region's most vital industry.

A total of 16 countries and territories will be represented in the 2025 Youth Congress:

Anguilla

Antigua & Barbuda

Bahamas

Barbados

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Dominica

Grenada

Jamaica

Nevis

Saint Lucia

St. Eustatius

St. Kitts

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Tobago

U.S. Virgin Islands

The Congress is sponsored and supported by Breeze Travel Solutions, Carnival Corporation & plc, Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx), Marketplace Excellence (MPE), and Winged Whale Media. It continues to serve as an important platform for empowering young Caribbean citizens, offering them exposure, mentorship and the opportunity to play a role in shaping the region's tourism narrative.

For more information about the conference, taking place September 30 to October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort, visit https://sotic.onecaribbean.org .

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), headquartered in Barbados, is the Caribbean's tourism development agency, comprising membership of the region's finest countries and territories, including Dutch-, English- and French-speaking, as well as a range of private sector allied members. The CTO's vision is to position the Caribbean as the most desirable, year-round, warm-weather destination, and its purpose is Leading Sustainable Tourism - One Sea, One Voice, One Caribbean.

Among the benefits to its members, the organization provides specialized support and technical assistance in sustainable tourism development, marketing, communications, advocacy, human resource development, event planning & execution, and research & information technology.

The CTO's headquarters is located at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados BB 22026.

Tel: +1 246 427-5242; Email: CTObarbados@caribtourism.com

For more information about the Caribbean Tourism Organization, visit www.OneCaribbean.org and follow the CTO on Facebook , X , Instagram and LinkedIn to be part of the conversation.