Anguilla advances tourism priorities at CTO meetings in Guyana

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (Oct. 6, 2026) — Anguilla is leveraging its participation in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 to advance key priorities for the island and the wider Caribbean, including sports tourism, improved regional connectivity, youth engagement and stronger collaboration among destinations.

Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports Cardigan Connor and Anguilla Tourist Board Director of Tourism Jameel Rochester are leading Anguilla’s delegation at the regional gathering in Georgetown bringing together tourism ministers, directors, industry executives and other stakeholders from across the Caribbean and the world.

Minister Connor, a former first-class cricketer, has underscored the growing potential of sports tourism as part of Anguilla’s broader tourism development strategy, highlighting opportunities to use sporting events and experiences to attract visitors, stimulate economic activity and create greater opportunities for young people and local communities.

Director of Tourism Jameel Rochester (left) and Minister of Tourism Cardigan Connor in Guyana this week

Rochester participated in the CTO Board of Directors meeting Monday while Minister Connor took part in Tuesday’s Ministerial Council meeting, both engaging regional tourism leaders on issues affecting the competitiveness and continued growth of the Caribbean tourism industry.

Regional air connectivity has been a particular focus for Rochester who serves on CTO’s Airlift Committee. In meetings and sidebar discussions throughout SOTIC, he has continued to advocate for improved intra-Caribbean access and more practical connections between Anguilla and key regional and international gateways.

Anguilla’s delegation also includes Joleyne Robin-Williams, tourism planner in the Ministry of Health, Tourism and Sports, and Junior Minister of Tourism Amarni Webster. 

Robin-Williams is participating in the week’s tourism discussions while Webster will represent Anguilla in Thursday’s CTO Regional Tourism Youth Congress alongside junior ministers and commissioners from across the Caribbean.

Webster’s participation reinforces Anguilla’s focus on developing the next generation of tourism leaders and ensuring young people have a voice in conversations about the future of the region’s tourism industry.

Director of Tourism Jameel Rochester with Junior Minister of Tourism Amarni Webster in Guyana this week

Anguilla’s strong presence at SOTIC also provides opportunities to strengthen relationships with regional tourism partners, exchange insights on emerging visitor trends and contribute to discussions about the future direction of Caribbean tourism.

SOTIC 2026 is being held in Guyana under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” The conference brings together public- and private-sector tourism leaders to examine the forces shaping the Caribbean tourism industry and identify strategies to strengthen the region’s competitiveness.

“The Caribbean is strongest when we work together while still recognizing what makes each of our destinations unique,” said Minister Connor. “Anguilla comes to these discussions ready to contribute, to learn and to help ensure that tourism continues to deliver meaningful benefits for our people.”