Anguilla will host the inaugural 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. The summit will be the first-ever CTO Sports Tourism Summit.
Summit Focus and Stakeholders
The summit will bring together tourism and sports officials, event organisers, athletes, sports organisations, destination marketers, private-sector partners, and other stakeholders. It focuses on how Caribbean destinations can use sports to attract visitors, stimulate economic activity, strengthen destination brands and create opportunities for local communities, aligned with the 2026 SOTIC theme, “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and
Inclusive.”
CTO Leadership Highlights the Summit’s Importance
CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper said: “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.” She described the summit as a dedicated space for destinations to share ideas and build partnerships focused on sports tourism, stating, “Anguilla is an excellent destination in which to begin that conversation.”
Anguilla’s Strategic Role and Sports Ecosystem
Anguilla’s Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports, Cardigan Connor, a former first-class cricketer, highlighted Anguilla’s established sports ecosystem including tennis facilities and championship golf offerings. He said: “Having spent much of my life in sports,
I have seen firsthand the doors it can open.” Connor emphasized the island’s ambition to leverage sports tourism not only to attract visitors and generate economic activity but also to provide pathways to training, international exposure, scholarships and careers for youth in Anguilla and the Caribbean.
He noted that sports tourism complements Anguilla’s destination development strategy alongside luxury leisure travel, culinary experiences, and wellness markets.
Broader Tourism Impact and Local Industry Perspectives
Jameel Rochester, Director of Tourism for the Anguilla Tourist Board, said: “For Anguilla, sports tourism is about much more than staging an event. 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.” He added that hosting the summit will demonstrate that a small destination can develop distinctive experiences, build smart partnerships and deliver the high level of hospitality for which Anguilla is known.
Further Details To Be Released
Additional details about the summit such as venue, program, speakers, and registration will be announced in the coming months.
