Antigua and Barbuda takes chair of Caribbean Tourism Organization

Antigua and Barbuda has been elected to lead the Caribbean Tourism Organization as the region pushes ahead with its Reimagine Plan and a broader supply-side tourism agenda. Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez will chair the CTO Council of Ministers at a pivotal moment ahead of SOTIC 2026 in Barbados.

Why it matters: - Antigua and Barbuda is now helping steer the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s regional tourism agenda at a time when the sector is focused on competitiveness, sustainability and stronger Caribbean-wide coordination. - The leadership change comes as CTO continues work on its Reimagine Plan and expands attention to tourism’s supply chain, from workforce development to logistics and local sourcing.

What happened: - Antigua and Barbuda was elected chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. - Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez will lead the CTO Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism. - The election followed last week’s Annual General Meeting. - Fernandez succeeds Barbados Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill. - Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James will chair the CTO Board of Directors. - James succeeds Andrea Franklin, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

The details: - The CTO Board elected vice chairs to represent the organization’s subregions. - The United States Virgin Islands will represent the U.S. territories. - The British Virgin Islands will represent the British overseas territories. - Saint-Martin will represent the French-speaking territories. - St. Kitts and Nevis and The Bahamas will represent CARICOM countries. - Selection of a representative for the Dutch-speaking territories was deferred until the next meeting. - The six subregional vice chairs and the Board chairman make up the CTO Board’s Executive Committee. - During Barbados’ tenure, CTO continued implementing its Reimagine Plan. - The plan is built around five pillars: advocacy, market competitiveness, tourism intelligence, sustainable and regenerative tourism, and people development. - CTO also expanded work on the tourism supply side. - That agenda includes workforce development, local supplier integration, infrastructure, logistics, technology and stronger links between tourism and agriculture, manufacturing and the creative industries.

Between the lines: - The leadership transition keeps the organization in a collaboration-heavy mode after two years of Barbados-led chairmanship. - CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper said the organization is moving from strategy-setting to execution and greater member value. - Gooding-Edghill had stressed the need for the Caribbean to speak with a stronger collective voice and share priorities.

What's next: - CTO will continue implementing its strategic priorities under the new leadership team. - The transition comes ahead of Wednesday’s opening of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference 2026 in Barbados. - SOTIC 2026 will run under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” - CTO says SOTIC is its main forum for ministers, tourism directors, private-sector executives, partners, academics, media, young people and other stakeholders to examine issues shaping Caribbean tourism. - Conference partners include Amadeus and the Inter-American Development Bank. - ASM Global Route Development is sponsoring the Tourism Intelligence Awards. - Supporting sponsors include the Association of Value Airlines, Digicel Business and Atlantic Suites Hotel. - Carnival Corporation is sponsoring the Youth Congress. - interCaribbean Airways is the official airline partner.

The bottom line: - Antigua and Barbuda is taking over CTO leadership as the Caribbean tourism group pushes a more integrated, supply-side-driven growth strategy.