Antigua’s Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez elected CTO chairman

Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism Minister Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez has been elected chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Fernandez assumes the post as the regional body pushes ahead with an agenda focused on strengthening Caribbean tourism, including deeper linkages with agriculture, manufacturing and other sectors.

Fernandez, who is also Minister of Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, succeeds Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill, who served as chairman for two years.

The election took place during the CTO’s Annual General Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, ahead of the opening of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026.

At the board level, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James also assumes the chairmanship, succeeding Andrea Franklin, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

The leadership change comes as the CTO continues implementation of its Reimagine Plan and places increased emphasis on what it describes as strengthening the tourism “supply side”.

That agenda includes workforce development, greater integration of local suppliers, improved infrastructure and logistics, technology and stronger connections between tourism and agriculture, manufacturing and the creative industries.

The strategy could prove particularly important for Caribbean destinations seeking to retain more of the economic benefits generated by millions of visitors to the region each year.

Under Barbados’ leadership, the CTO pursued its Reimagine Plan around five pillars — advocacy, market competitiveness, tourism intelligence, sustainable and regenerative tourism, and people development.

CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper thanked the outgoing Barbados leadership while welcoming Fernandez and James to their new roles.

“We welcome Minister Fernandez and CEO James as they take on their respective roles at an important point in CTO’s evolution as we continue translating our strategy into meaningful action and greater value for our members and the wider Caribbean tourism sector,” Regis-Prosper said.

She also praised Gooding-Edghill and Franklin for their stewardship and commitment to regional collaboration.

Gooding-Edghill used his tenure to advocate for greater cooperation among Caribbean destinations and a stronger collective regional voice on issues affecting tourism.

The CTO Board of Directors also elected vice chairs representing several Caribbean sub-regions.

The United States Virgin Islands will represent the US territories, while the British Virgin Islands will represent the British Overseas Territories.

Saint-Martin will represent the French-speaking territories, with St Kitts and Nevis and The Bahamas elected to represent CARICOM countries.

Selection of a representative for the Dutch-speaking territories was deferred until the next meeting.

The six sub-regional vice-chair positions, together with the board chairman, make up the executive committee of the CTO Board of Directors.

The leadership transition comes as tourism officials, private-sector executives, international partners, academics and other stakeholders gather in Guyana for SOTIC, the CTO’s major annual forum examining the future of Caribbean tourism.

This year’s conference is being held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.”

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

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