Anguilla has sent a delegation to the Caribbean Tourism Organization's State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 in Georgetown, Guyana. It is led by Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports, and Jameel Rochester, Director of Tourism at the Anguilla Tourist Board. Anguilla says it is using the event to raise four priorities: sports tourism, better regional air connectivity, youth engagement and closer cooperation among Caribbean destinations.

The conference is being held under the theme "Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive". It brings together tourism ministers, directors, industry executives and other stakeholders from the Caribbean and elsewhere. Its stated purpose is to examine the forces shaping the industry and to identify ways of strengthening the region's competitiveness.

Mr Rochester took part in the CTO Board of Directors meeting on Monday. Mr Connor attended the Ministerial Council meeting on Tuesday. Anguilla says both men discussed the competitiveness and continued growth of Caribbean tourism with regional leaders. The statement from the delegation does not report any decisions or outcomes from either meeting.

Mr Connor, a former first-class cricketer, regards sports tourism as part of Anguilla's wider development strategy. He has pointed to the use of sporting events and experiences to attract visitors, support economic activity and create opportunities for young people and local communities. That is his position, and the delegation has not said which events or facilities Anguilla has in mind.

Air links have been the main concern of Mr Rochester, who sits on the CTO Airlift Committee. In meetings and side discussions during the conference, he has argued for better access within the Caribbean and for more practical connections between Anguilla and key regional and international gateways. No routes or airlines have been named.

Anguilla's junior minister of tourism, Amarni Webster, will represent the island at the CTO Regional Tourism Youth Congress on Thursday. She will be joined by junior ministers and commissioners from across the Caribbean. According to the delegation, her presence is meant to make sure younger people have a say when the future of the industry is discussed. Joleyne Robin-Williams, a tourism planner in the Ministry of Health, Tourism and Sports, is taking part in the week's discussions.

Mr Connor said the Caribbean is strongest when its members work together while recognising what makes each destination distinct. He said Anguilla had come to contribute, to learn and to help ensure that tourism continues to benefit its people.

The delegation's account covers attendance and intentions only. It gives no agreements reached, no visitor figures for Anguilla, no airlift proposals and no plans for sporting events. It also says the presence of the delegation offers a chance to build relationships with regional partners and to exchange views on visitor trends, but that is a statement of aim and not a reported result. Everyone quoted belongs to the Anguilla delegation. The CTO and other delegations have not been quoted, so independent assessment of Anguilla's proposals is not available.

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