Anguilla will host the first Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) 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, in 2026.
Purpose and Participants of the Summit
The inaugural summit will serve as a regional platform focused on the intersection of sports, tourism, and economic development in the Caribbean. It will gather tourism and sports officials, event organisers, athletes, sports organisations, destination marketers, private-sector partners, and other stakeholders to discuss leveraging sports to enhance tourism growth and community benefits.
CTO Leadership on Sports Tourism
CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper emphasized the role of sports as
a key connector across the Caribbean. She said the summit will provide a dedicated space for destinations to share ideas and build partnerships, adding, “Sports is one of the most powerful connectors we have in the Caribbean, and its potential as a driver of tourism deserves greater regional attention.” Regis-Prosper also cited Anguilla as an ideal location to initiate this regional conversation.
Anguilla’s Strategic Focus
Cardigan Connor, Anguilla’s Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports and a former first-class cricketer, highlighted the island’s ambitions in sports tourism. He noted the potential to attract visitors, stimulate economic activity, and create pathways for training, exposure, scholarships,
and careers for young Anguillians and Caribbean nationals. Connor pointed to Anguilla’s established tennis culture and growing golf reputation as foundations for further development. He stated, “Sports bring people together and generate reasons to travel.”
Tourism Integration in Anguilla
Jameel Rochester, Director of Tourism for the Anguilla Tourist Board, explained that sports tourism extends beyond hosting events. “It is about creating another compelling reason to visit the destination and then connecting those visitors with our accommodations, restaurants, beaches, culture, experiences and, most important, our people,” Rochester said. He added that the summit will demonstrate Anguilla’s ability to deliver distinctive experiences and partnerships while maintaining
its hospitality standards.
Context of Announcement
The announcement was made during the CTO’s SOTIC 2026 conference held in Georgetown, Guyana. The conference theme that year focused on “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” The summit aligns with this theme by exploring sustainable and inclusive opportunities through sports tourism within the Caribbean region.
Industry Significance
The CTO Sports Tourism Summit is the first event of its kind under the CTO, aiming to officially unite stakeholders involved in sports tourism across the Caribbean. The sector is seen as an emerging market that can increase visitor numbers, stimulate economic activity, strengthen destination brands, and create community benefits. Additional
details about the summit’s venue specifics, agenda, speakers, and registration are expected in coming months.
