CTO chairman, Ian Gooding-Edghill, who is also Barbados’ Minister of Tourism, told the opening ceremony that he is encouraged by the continued performance of the region’s tourism sector.

He said last year, Caribbean tourism maintained its growth trajectory, recording a 2.5 per cent  increase over 2024, with approximately 900,000 additional visitors to the region and arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks.

Gooding-Edghill said cruise tourism also remains strong, with cruise visits increasing by 5.2 per cent and exceeding the 2019 levels by more than 16 per cent.

“These figures demonstrate the enduring strength of the Caribbean brand and the continued global demand for authentic Caribbean experiences. Looking ahead to 2026, for the remainder of 2026, CTO projections remain cautiously optimistic.

“We anticipate moderate but steady growth, supported by improved connectivity, stronger regional coordination, and continued demand for experience-driven travel. But while the outlook remains positive, we cannot afford complacency. Competitiveness must be continuously protected, strengthened, and modernised,” he said.

He noted that that is why market diversification remains so important and that the Latin American market continues to show significant growth potential for the Caribbean, supported by geographic proximity, expanding air connectivity, and increasing interest in multi-destinational travel.

“This is no longer simply an emerging opportunity, it is an accelerating one. At the same time, we are beginning to deepen engagement with the African market through cultural partnerships, diaspora connections, and future opportunities for expanded airlift.”

Gooding-Edghill said that this represents an important long-term frontier for Caribbean tourism development.

Gooding-Edghill said tourism remains the backbone of many Caribbean economies, generating jobs, investment, entrepreneurship, and opportunities.

“It connects our cultures to the world and allows the world to experience the richness of the Caribbean spirit. Yes, these are serious times, but this is also a serious region with serious talent, serious resilience, and serious ambition.

“And if we remain united, disciplined, and focused on the future, there is absolutely no limit to what the Caribbean can achieve together,” he said.

He noted that in an era of ever-changing geopolitical events and rising costs, “with the associated threats to our industry, it is our responsibility as Ministers of Tourism and Travel Trade Partners to rise to the challenge to protect Caribbean tourism and reinforce the adage of turning adversity to advantage.”

“While there are crises that we have faced in the past, we’ve overcome them, we’ve grown stronger, we’ve grown even more resilient within the Caribbean as a region, and with increased investments, we’ve done so in the tourism sector.

“Each crisis makes us stronger and more resilient. It is our responsibility as Ministers of Tourism and partners, to continue to guide the Caribbean Tourism Organization and to ensure the millions of people who depend on us for sustained employment do so and do so with the confidence that our leaders in this room will help them and continue to lead them in that direction.

“Let us continue to move forward as one Caribbean in finite experiences,” the CTO chairman added.