Caribbean Tourism Organization Launches Inaugural Tourism Research Forum at SOTIC 2026

Caribbean Tourism Organization leadership has officially announced the creation of the inaugural Caribbean Tourism Research Forum, designed to integrate scientific knowledge directly into regional tourism governance. The high-profile initiative will debut during the upcoming State of the Tourism Industry Conference scheduled to convene in Georgetown, Guyana, under the guiding theme Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive.

The newly established platform aims to bridge the long-standing gap between academic research and executive decision-making across regional destinations. Aliyyah Shakeer, CTO Director of Research, emphasized that fostering closer collaboration between academic institutions and public-private leaders is vital for equipping destinations with reliable data to navigate complex industry challenges.

The specialized program will feature two dynamic showcase sessions during its multi-hour inaugural assembly on October sixth, two thousand twenty-six. The first segment will spotlight emerging academic studies from regional universities, while the second will focus on applied destination insights addressing pressing matters such as climate resilience, digital transformation, and sustainable tourism frameworks.

Industry analysts note that leveraging empirical data and structured research will enhance the long-term competitiveness of Caribbean territories against shifting global market pressures. Stakeholders anticipate that the forum will serve as a permanent catalyst for evidence-based policymaking across the broader basin.