Dr. Auliana Poon to Keynote CTO’s SOTIC 2025 in Barbados
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced that Dr. Auliana Poon, a globally recognized expert in tourism and sustainable development, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), taking place September 30 to October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort.
Hosted in partnership with the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., SOTIC 2025 will gather tourism ministers, directors, senior executives, and industry stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the Caribbean’s future as a premier travel destination. The conference theme, “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism: Research, Relevance and the Road Ahead,” encompasses high-level panels, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and sessions showcasing cutting-edge research.
Dr. Poon, a Berlin-based economist and pioneering tourism strategist from Trinidad & Tobago, has advised over 40 destinations worldwide, influencing policy, strategy, and competitiveness. She is known for introducing the widely cited concepts of “Old Tourism” and “New Tourism,” developing South Africa’s Responsible Tourism policy, and crafting innovative destination strategies for Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Montserrat, and Mozambique. Her book, “Tourism, Technology and Competitive Strategies,” remains a cornerstone of global tourism research.
“The Caribbean stands at a critical juncture — one where research, resilience, and relevance must guide our path forward,” said Dr. Poon. “I am honored to join industry leaders at SOTIC to share insights on strategies that make tourism competitive, sustainable, and inclusive for generations to come.”
Conference highlights include CTO’s data-driven session, “Caribbean Tourism: Trends, Truths and Trajectories,” offering insights into regional performance, market dynamics, and forecasts. Other sessions will explore airlift expansion, medical and wellness tourism, sports tourism, cruise and stay-over synergies, and source market opportunities across North America, Latin America, and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper noted, “Dr. Poon has been a trailblazer in redefining global tourism policy and strategy. Her keynote will inspire members and partners to think bigger and act smarter as we advance the Caribbean tourism agenda.”
The conference will also host the Regional Tourism Youth Congress on October 2, providing a platform for the next generation of tourism ambassadors from CTO member states.
Current SOTIC 2025 sponsors include Environics Analytics, LIAT Air, Tiki, and Virgin Atlantic, with additional opportunities available for organizations seeking to align with the region’s sustainable tourism development initiatives.
