GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – In a move aimed at reshaping the future of travel within the region, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has awarded its inaugural Caribbean Tourism Intelligence Award to two distinguished researchers. Dr. Dalano DaSouza and Dr. Dennis Mc Call Jr. were honored at the 2026 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) for their groundbreaking investigation into why Caribbean nationals are increasingly choosing international travel over destinations within their own home region.
The award-winning research paper, titled “Decline of the Regional Traveler? Investigating New Factors Driving Substitution of Intra-Caribbean Tourism with International Travel,” provides a data-driven look at the shifting habits of Caribbean vacationers. Dr. DaSouza, currently the director of research, statistics, and data analytics at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, and Dr. Mc Call Jr., a senior lecturer at Teesside University in the U.K., compiled their findings after analyzing survey responses from 1,103 individuals across 23 distinct jurisdictions.
Their study identifies a complex web of factors influencing travel decisions, including the prohibitive cost of regional travel, limited international flight connectivity, visa access complications, and the influence of the diaspora. Crucially, the researchers found that a traveler’s age, income, and education level significantly dictate how they navigate these barriers. The findings serve as a call to action for governments, tourism authorities, and regional airlines, offering evidence-based strategies to improve connectivity and capture more tourism spending within the Caribbean itself.
Aliyyah Shakeer, the CTO’s director of research, highlighted the necessity of such work, noting that the region requires insights tailored to its unique socio-economic environment. “We need research that reflects the realities of the Caribbean—research that is grounded in our destinations, our communities, and our particular challenges and opportunities,” Shakeer stated. She emphasized that the goal of the award is to foster high-quality analysis that directly informs policy, planning, and investment.
The initiative was established as part of the “Tourism Intelligence” pillar of the CTO’s Reimagine Plan. Developed under the leadership of CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper, the award is designed to elevate the organization as a premier hub for tourism data and analytics. To ensure integrity, the winning entry was selected by four independent evaluators—Dr. Hugues Séraphin, Dr. Mechelle N. Best, Dr. Pauline A. Milwood, and Dr. Therez B. Walker—who worked in total anonymity.
The presentation of this award coincided with the inaugural Caribbean Tourism Research Forum, a new platform designed to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice. By creating a collaborative space for researchers and policymakers, the CTO hopes to build a more resilient and competitive tourism sector. “Ultimately, our ambition is to help build a stronger and more connected Caribbean tourism research community,” Shakeer added.
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