CTO to launch Caribbean Tourism Research Forum at SOTIC 2026

The Caribbean Tourism Organization will debut a new research forum during SOTIC 2026 in Guyana on Oct. 6, aiming to link academic work with tourism policy and industry action. The event is designed to help destinations make evidence-based decisions on sustainability, competitiveness and innovation.

Why it matters: - The Caribbean Tourism Organization is creating a dedicated space for tourism research to inform policy, planning and industry decisions across the region. - The forum is meant to help Caribbean destinations respond to challenges such as climate resilience, changing traveler behavior, workforce needs and digital transformation. - CTO is positioning the event as a bridge between academia and the tourism industry, where practical findings can move into real-world use.

What happened: - CTO will launch the inaugural Caribbean Tourism Research Forum during the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference. - The forum takes place Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Guyana, under the SOTIC 2026 theme, “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive.” - The three-hour program is intended as an accessible research exchange, not a traditional academic conference. - Participation is open to all registered SOTIC delegates at no additional cost.

The details: - The forum will include two research showcase sessions. - “Emerging Research from Caribbean Universities” will feature recent or ongoing work from universities and research institutions. - “Research in Practice: Applied and Destination Insights” will focus on policy, planning, market and destination-management challenges. - Presentation topics may include visitor behavior, tourism demand forecasting, sustainable and regenerative tourism, climate resilience, community-based tourism, workforce development, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, destination competitiveness, market intelligence, economic impact and product development. - Each session will feature short presentations followed by moderated discussion. - Presentations will be limited to about 10 minutes and will be structured for both technical and non-technical audiences. - The forum will close with a joint discussion on strengthening the connection between academic research and industry needs. - CTO director of research Aliyyah Shakeer said the forum reflects CTO’s commitment to credible research, regional collaboration and practical application. - Nominations are being invited from Caribbean universities, recognized research institutions, the Caribbean Tourism Research Network and CTO member countries. - Recommendations are due by Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, through this submission form. - More information about SOTIC 2026 is available on the conference site.

Between the lines: - CTO is using the forum to raise the visibility of Caribbean tourism research and to show how applied studies can solve destination-level problems. - The format suggests CTO wants broader participation from practitioners, students and development partners, not just researchers. - The emphasis on concise presentations and moderated discussion points to a practical, action-oriented event. - The initiative also signals a stronger push for evidence-based tourism planning in the Caribbean.

What's next: - CTO will review nominations and shape the forum program ahead of SOTIC 2026. - Selected presenters will have a platform to share findings with tourism leaders, governments, private-sector stakeholders and other delegates. - The broader goal is to build longer-term collaboration among universities, tourism organizations and policymakers.

The bottom line: - CTO is adding a new research engine to SOTIC 2026, with the goal of turning Caribbean tourism data and scholarship into better decisions on the ground.