BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Friday said it will unveil a landmark regional honour at this year’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), underscoring the region’s push toward knowledge-led growth and evidence-based policy.
It was announced that the Caribbean Tourism Intelligence Award, to be launched on Wednesday, October 1, will recognise individuals, institutions, and firms within the Caribbean that produce high-quality Research and data-driven insights, strengthening the region’s global competitiveness while advancing sustainability, resilience, and people development.
“This award represents an important step in positioning the Caribbean as a global reference point in tourism strategy and innovation,” said Aliyyah Shakeer, CTO’s director of Research.
“By recognising those applying Research, data, and fresh thinking, we are reinforcing a culture of evidence-based decision-making, a cornerstone of our Reimagine Plan that ensures growth is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, “ Shakeer said.
The CTO said the award will evaluate nominees, including researchers, consultants, educators, students, tourism professionals, firms, and institutions, on three criteria: academic and scientific excellence, practical industry impact, and leadership in sector development.
The initiative is rooted in the CTO’s Reimagine Plan, a bold framework built on five pillars: sustainable and regenerative tourism, tourism intelligence, advocacy, market competitiveness, and people development, with operational excellence driving internal reforms. The plan aims to expand data infrastructure, enhance skills training, improve service standards, and align industry growth with global sustainability benchmarks.
The CTO stated that by highlighting transformative Research and practical innovation, it aims to strengthen the Caribbean’s role in shaping the future of tourism in an era of climate uncertainty, shifting markets, and intense global competition.
It said that details on award eligibility and submission guidelines will be released at SOTIC 2025 and through the CTO’s official communications channels.
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