The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced that award-winning journalist and media executive Melissa Noel will serve as the host for the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). The prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Guyana from October 5–9, marking the first time the South American nation will host the region’s premier tourism forum.
As host, Noel will guide delegates through an intensive five-day program centered on the theme, “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.” Her role will involve facilitating high-level dialogue and cultural exchange among regional tourism ministers, private-sector leaders, and international industry stakeholders.
Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO Secretary-General and CEO, praised the appointment, citing Noel’s unique professional background. “Melissa Noel brings a powerful combination of journalistic excellence, cultural insight and a deep connection to Guyana and the wider Caribbean,” said Regis-Prosper. “Her ability to engage audiences and communicate the richness of Caribbean stories makes her an ideal host for SOTIC 2026. As the conference comes to Guyana for the first time, Melissa will help us create an experience that is informative, dynamic and rooted in the culture of our host destination.”
Noel is the founder and chief content officer of Mel&N Media Group, a production firm that specializes in connecting cultural institutions and travel brands with global audiences. Her decorated career includes over 15 years in news and media, with notable roles at NBC News, ABC News, and ESSENCE, where she served as the senior news and travel editor. A two-time CTO Diaspora Journalist of the Year (2024 and 2025), Noel is also a Pulitzer Center grantee, recognized for her impactful reporting on identity and the African diaspora.
“It is a tremendous honor to return to Guyana, my country of heritage, to host SOTIC 2026,” said Noel. “The Caribbean holds extraordinary stories of creativity, resilience, identity and innovation. I look forward to helping create space for the people shaping the region’s tourism future.”
The 2026 conference agenda is designed to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the sector, including climate resilience, regenerative tourism, and the integration of emerging technology. The schedule begins with CTO business meetings on October 5–6, followed by the main conference sessions on October 7–8. The Regional Tourism Youth Congress, a staple of the SOTIC experience, will take place on October 8, with the event concluding with Destination Media Briefings on October 9.
Supported by major industry partners including the Inter-American Development Bank, Amadeus, and Carnival Corporation, SOTIC 2026 aims to set a new standard for collaboration. As Guyana prepares to welcome the region, officials expect the conference to serve as a pivotal moment for defining the future of Caribbean travel. Interested participants can find registration details at sotic.onecaribbean.org.
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