The Turks and Caicos Islands Prepares to Host Tourism Industry Luminaries for the State of the Tourism Industry Conference

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 5, 2023 – The stage is set for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO’s) flagship event, the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), to be hosted in TripAdvisor’s Top Trending Travel Destination for Fall 2022, The Turks and Caicos Islands. This significant conference will unfold from October 9th to 13th, 2023, with The Shore Club and Beaches Turks and Caicos, both proud sponsors, serving as the esteemed
venues.  The Ministry of Tourism and Experience Turks and Caicos are the co-hosts of this major tourism and travel calendar event.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Josephine Connolly, shared her anticipation, saying, “The countdown to SOTIC is on, and we’re buzzing with excitement. We’re refining every detail to ensure our distinguished guests truly feel the essence of our ‘Beautiful by Nature, Turks and Caicos Islands.’ This gathering goes beyond a conference—it’s an invitation. An invitation to engage in dialogue that will shape our industry, and an invitation to bask in the rich culture and beauty of our islands. To our esteemed peers and media, we eagerly await the opportunity to collaborate, strengthen regional ties, and envision an even more sustainable future for Caribbean tourism together.”

Leisure travel media giants, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel Pulse, Insider Report, Travel Press, Travel Courier, Travel Influencer, and Travel Noire will all be attending the event – firmly putting the global spotlight on The Turks and Caicos Islands.

Amid the impressive roster of speakers and experts, major highlights will be the keynote addresses by Angel Cárdenas Sosa and Doug Lansky. “We’re truly honored to have Angel and Doug, a General Manager at the Development Bank of Latin America & the Caribbean, and a globally renowned tourism expert, respectively, grace this year’s SOTIC. Their vast experiences, from being responsible for a $6 billion investment portfolio to advising countries like Saudi Arabia and Iceland, promise transformative insights. The depth and richness Angel and Doug bring are highly anticipated,” stated Racquel Brown, Interim CEO/Change Manager of Experience Turks and Caicos.

Attendees can also look forward to a comprehensive range of panel discussions. Topics span from investment trends to Caribbean aviation competitiveness to nuances of the film industry. Offering their seasoned perspectives are Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, Investment, and Trade, Hon. E. Jay Saunders; Minister of Physical Planningand Infrastructure Development, Hon. Jamell Robinson; President and CEO of FortisTCI, Ruth Forbes; Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development for The Hartling Group, Karen Whitt; General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, James McAnally; and The Turks and Caicos Islands’ Country Head of CIBC First Caribbean, Terrance Gibson.

The Caribbean Youth Congress, to be held on October 13th at Beaches Turks and Caicos, promises to be a highlight, showcasing the brilliance and vision of the region’s youth in tourism. Representing The Turks and Caicos Islands, Junior Minister of Tourism, Kiajé Williams, is set to contend for the esteemed title of Junior Minister of Tourism for the Caribbean Region.

Delegates from Caribbean countries, from Anguilla to The Bahamas, are set to participate. The event also features insights from Hon. Kenneth Bryan as well as Dona Regis-Prosper, the Minister of Tourism of the Cayman Islands and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of
the Caribbean Tourism Organization, respectively.

As the Caribbean and global tourism community converge on The Turks and Caicos Islands for SOTIC, the stage is poised for ground-breaking dialogues and experiences. The blend of innovative thought leadership, unparalleled networking opportunities, and the exchange of pioneering ideas ensures that SOTIC remains a landmark event for all
passionate about the Caribbean tourism industry’s future.

In realizing such a monumental event, collaboration is the cornerstone. Experience Turks and Caicos, rooted in its ethos of genuine partnership with stakeholders across both the public and private sectors, wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude for the collective effort in bringing SOTIC to fruition. The Ministry of Tourism and Experience Turks and
Caicos salute all partners who have contributed their time, resources, and expertise.

Special acknowledgements are extended to esteemed collaborators: the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA), FortisTCI, the Turks & Caicos Islands Bankers Association (TCBA), the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority, Grace Bay Club, The Hartling Group, and Beaches Turks and Caicos. Their unwavering commitment underscores the unity and shared vision that propels our islands to new heights within the global tourism landscape.