Caribbean cruise tourism leaders and industry officials will gather in Guyana next year to discuss how the region can better capture economic value from the cruise sector. The 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) will host a special session titled “Maximizing Destination Value through Cruise Tourism,” focusing on the opportunities, requirements, and partnerships needed to develop a competitive cruise product.
The master class will be headlined by Michele Paige, the CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Paige’s participation highlights the significance of the event, which takes place in Georgetown from October 5-9. The session aims to bring together tourism officials and private-sector stakeholders to examine destination readiness, product development, and service standards.
Beyond simply attracting ships, the initiative encourages destinations to look at the broader visitor experience. Beth Hatt, founder of the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, noted that maximizing the benefits of cruise tourism requires a deeper understanding of value creation. Hatt, who will be joined by Aquila’s director of impact, Ambra Attus, emphasized that destinations must have strong visitor experiences and effective partnerships to ensure economic development.
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The Aquila Center works with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) to provide training and development programs for tour operators and frontline workers. Its experience spans more than 35 years through its Living Lab in Saint John, New Brunswick, where visitor experiences are designed and tested. The organization also works with cruise lines and destination stakeholders on long-term development strategies.
According to Norris Clement, the CTO’s deputy director of professional services, building institutional capacity is critical. He stated that cruise tourism presents an exciting opportunity, but destinations must have a clear understanding of how the industry works and the importance of high standards.
“Cruise tourism presents the entire Caribbean with an exciting opportunity,” Clement said. “But we must have a clear understanding of how the industry works and the importance of strong partnerships, compelling visitor experiences and a workforce and business community prepared to deliver at a consistently high standard.”
Expanding the Caribbean Offering
As Guyana hosts SOTIC for the first time, the discussions will unfold against the backdrop of the country’s growing tourism industry. The event, which serves as CTO’s flagship forum, brings together tourism ministers, commissioners, and private-sector executives under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.”
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The master class also supports the CTO’s Reimagine Plan 2025–2027 and the work of its Cruise, Yachting and Ferry Committee. This committee seeks to strengthen engagement between Caribbean destinations and the marine tourism sector.
While much of the Caribbean relies on island-based itineraries, Guyana offers a mainland alternative. The country’s extensive natural environment, cultural diversity, and adventure tourism attractions provide a distinct profile that could add another dimension to the region’s established cruise offerings. The upcoming conference provides a venue for these stakeholders to map out how to integrate such a new destination into the existing network.
However, the logistical challenges of bringing cruise passengers to a mainland destination are significant. For a country without a deep-water port infrastructure, the investment required to welcome cruise ships is substantial. The success of this initiative will depend on whether the infrastructure can be developed quickly enough to support the volume of passengers that these types of master classes typically attract. Without the immediate physical capacity to handle visitors, the strategic discussions at SOTIC remain theoretical until concrete construction projects begin.