The Caribbean Tourism Board has announced Guyana as the host location for the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) to be held in Georgetown from 5 to 9 October 2026. This will be the first time Guyana has hosted a flagship conference of CTOs, attracting widespread regional and international participation.
SOTIC convenes policymakers, industry executives, media, youth representatives and other stakeholders. They will address pressing sector challenges, share innovation and shape policy direction. Organizers expect hundreds of delegates to attend, providing a platform for discussion, capacity building and partnership development across the Caribbean tourism ecosystem.
Guyana’s Minister of Tourism made this selection in recognition of the country’s growing role in regional tourism leadership and its capacity to support the high-value business travel sector, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). Government and private sector investments in infrastructure, sustainability initiatives and cultural tourism form part of the reason for holding the conference.
CTO leadership emphasized Guyana’s alignment with the organization’s 2026 priorities, which emphasize community-centric visitor experiences and resilient, inclusive growth. This selection reflects the emphasis on destinations combining ecological benefits, cultural depth and event staging facilities.
Key initiatives (to be announced by CTO and local authorities):
- Date and location: Georgetown, October 5-9, 2026.
- Expected participants: local tourism leaders, international representatives, policy makers, journalists, youth and industry stakeholders.
- Key topics: innovation, sustainability, community-driven tourism and MICE development.
- Pending Announcements: Confirm registration details, complete program and locations.
Stakeholders emphasized that SOTIC 2026 will provide Guyana with a conference infrastructure as well as a stage to showcase its eco-tourism, adventure experiences and cultural assets. The event aims to expand Guyana’s visibility in the Caribbean tourism market and foster collaborative initiatives that support long-term sector development.
source: CTO selects Guyana as host for 2026 State of Tourism Conference (SOTIC)
video: Dinesh Chandrapal via Unsplash
