CTO to launch first Caribbean Tourism Research Forum at SOTIC in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana. The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) will launch the inaugural Caribbean Tourism Research Forum during this year’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Guyana.

Scheduled for 6 October under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive”, the three-hour forum will promote tourism research, innovation and evidence-based decision-making.

It will bring together researchers, academics, tourism professionals, destination representatives, development partners and students to share findings and develop practical solutions to the region’s tourism challenges.

“The Caribbean Tourism Research Forum reflects CTO’s commitment to ensuring that the future of Caribbean tourism is informed by credible research, regional collaboration and practical application,” said Aliyyah Shakeer, CTO director of research.

“By creating stronger connections between researchers, policymakers and industry leaders, we can better equip our destinations to make informed decisions,” she said.

Two showcases

The forum will feature two research showcase sessions. The first, “Emerging Research from Caribbean Universities”, will present recent and ongoing studies.

The second, “Research in Practice: Applied and Destination Insights”, will highlight research on tourism policy, planning, markets and destination management.

Topics

Subjects will include changing visitor trends, tourism demand, sustainability, climate resilience, community tourism, workforce development, AI, digital transformation, destination competitiveness, economic impact and product development.