SOTIC 2025 to Showcase Caribbean Innovation Hub in Partnership with Winged Whale Media

22 September 2025 4:17pm

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will launch a pioneering Innovation Hub at the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2025, in collaboration with Winged Whale Media, a global leader in immersive media solutions.

The Hub will demonstrate how virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping tourism marketing, visitor engagement, workforce development, and destination resilience. Delegates will be able to explore interactive experiences ranging from immersive reef and rainforest VR journeys to AI-powered booking assistants and digital wayfinding tools.

Ed Limon, Cofounder and Producer at Winged Whale Media, emphasized that the Hub is designed to inspire tourism leaders while showcasing practical tools ready for immediate deployment across the region. “Innovation is how we tell our stories, protect our places, and welcome the world,” he said.

Highlights of the Innovation Hub include:

Immersive VR Experiences featuring Caribbean reefs, festivals, and landscapes.
AI Itinerary & Booking Assistants offering 24/7 multilingual support and capturing valuable visitor insights.
Virtual Wayfinders providing on-the-ground orientation for resorts, city centers, and events.
AI Heritage Avatars enabling interactive storytelling with artisans, guides, and conservation experts.

CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper noted that the Innovation Hub reflects the organization’s commitment to keeping the Caribbean competitive and future-ready. “We cannot rely on our natural beauty alone. By embracing innovation, investing in sustainability, and empowering our people, we can ensure Caribbean tourism remains resilient and continues to grow,” she said.

The Hub will also capture delegate feedback and engagement data, helping CTO and partners identify pilot-ready initiatives for destinations across the region.

SOTIC 2025’s Innovation Hub underscores the CTO’s commitment to fostering collaboration between governments, private sector players, and innovators to drive sustainable growth, elevate visitor experiences, and strengthen the Caribbean’s position as a global tourism leader.