Anguilla has been selected to host the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) inaugural Sports Tourism Summit from August 12 to 14, 2027, the CTO announced during its State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) held in Georgetown, Guyana.
The summit will convene a diverse group of tourism and sports officials, event organizers, athletes, sports organizations, destination marketers, private sector partners, and other stakeholders. It will serve as the Caribbean’s first dedicated regional platform to explore the connections between sports, tourism, and economic development.
Summit Focus and Objectives
Aligned with the SOTIC 2026 theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive,” the summit aims to examine how
sporting events and experiences can drive tourism growth and yield tangible benefits for local communities across the Caribbean region.
CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper emphasized the importance of sports in connecting the Caribbean. She said the summit would provide a focused space for destinations to exchange ideas, form partnerships, and strategically evaluate how sports tourism can contribute to economic expansion and community wellbeing, highlighting Anguilla as an ideal host to launch this initiative.
Anguilla’s Role and Vision
Anguilla Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports Cardigan Connor, a former first-class cricketer, highlighted the island’s vision to leverage sports tourism as a driver of visitor
arrivals, economic activity, and youth career opportunities. He pointed out the potential to create pathways for training, international exposure, scholarships, and professional development for young Anguillians and Caribbean nationals through sports-themed tourism.
Connor noted that the island’s established tennis culture and growing golf reputation form a solid foundation for expanding its sports tourism segment. He underscored that sports create compelling travel motivations and bring people together, making Anguilla well positioned to deepen its engagement within this market by hosting the CTO’s inaugural summit.
Existing Sports Tourism Assets and Community Benefits
Anguilla incorporates sports tourism within its broader destination development strategy, which also emphasizes luxury leisure, culinary experiences,
and wellness markets. The island’s tennis facilities and championship golf courses complement its evolving sports ecosystem.
Minister Connor also pointed to the interrelation of sports, tourism, and health, referencing efforts to use sporting events to support health causes such as cancer awareness, which resonate deeply within Caribbean communities.
Tourism Board Perspective and Next Steps
Jameel Rochester, Director of Tourism for the Anguilla Tourist Board, described sports tourism as more than just event hosting. He said it is about offering additional motivations for visiting Anguilla and connecting visitors with its accommodations, restaurants, beaches, culture, and experiences, as well as its people.
Rochester added that the summit provides
an opportunity for Anguilla to demonstrate how even a small destination can create distinctive experiences, foster strategic partnerships, and deliver the high level of hospitality for which it is known.
Detailed information about the summit’s venue, program, speakers, and registration will be released in the coming months.
