Guyana President Irfaan Ali to keynote Caribbean tourism conference in October

Guyana President Irfaan Ali will deliver the keynote address at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) when the regional gathering is held in Georgetown next month.

The conference, scheduled for October 5 to 9, will be held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.”

Ali is expected to address the future of Caribbean tourism, including the use of technology and innovation, economic and environmental resilience and efforts to ensure tourism growth benefits communities across the region.

The conference comes as Caribbean destinations grapple with changing traveler expectations, emerging technologies, climate-related pressures and growing competition in the global tourism industry.

“President Ali’s participation brings an important dimension to SOTIC at a time when we are asking fundamental questions about what the future of Caribbean tourism should look like,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, secretary-general and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

“He brings the perspective not only of a regional head of government but also of a leader who understands sustainable tourism and its connection to national development.”

Guyana will host SOTIC for the first time, with the country’s approach to sustainable tourism, biodiversity conservation and community participation expected to feature in discussions.

Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues said hosting the conference provides an opportunity to advance regional discussions on tourism while showcasing the country’s growing visitor economy.

“The conference theme speaks directly to the kind of tourism future we are working to build — one that embraces innovation, protects what makes our destinations distinctive and ensures that the benefits of tourism reach our people and communities,” Rodrigues said.

Ali, who first took office as Guyana’s ninth executive president in August 2020, began his second term in September 2025.

Before becoming president, he served in the National Assembly and held ministerial portfolios including housing and water and tourism, industry and commerce. He holds a doctorate in urban and regional planning from the University of the West Indies.

SOTIC is the CTO’s main regional forum bringing together tourism ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, private-sector executives, academics, international partners, media and other industry stakeholders.

This year’s program will focus on areas including tourism data and intelligence, emerging technology, climate resilience, regenerative tourism, destination competitiveness and inclusive growth.

CTO business meetings will be held October 5 and 6, followed by the main conference on October 7 and 8. The Regional Tourism Youth Congress will take place October 8, while Destination Media Briefings will close the conference on October 9.