GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Antigua and Barbuda has taken over the chairmanship of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez assuming leadership of the organisation’s Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism.

The change followed the CTO’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday in Guyana, with Fernandez succeeding Barbados Tourism and International Transport Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill, who served as chair for the past two years.

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

The organisation noted during Barbados’ tenure it continued implementing the Reimagine Plan, which focuses on advocacy, market competitiveness, tourism intelligence, sustainable and regenerative tourism, and people development.

The organisation also placed greater emphasis on strengthening the region’s tourism supply side, including workforce development, local supplier integration, infrastructure, logistics and technology, while strengthening links between tourism and agriculture, manufacturing and the creative industries.

Gooding-Edghill also pushed for greater regional collaboration and a stronger collective voice for the Caribbean tourism sector.

CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper thanked Barbados for its leadership and welcomed Antigua and Barbuda to the chairmanship.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to Minister Gooding-Edghill and CEO Andrea Franklin for their stewardship, commitment to regional collaboration and the leadership they have provided as CTO advanced the Reimagine Plan,” Regis-Prosper said.

“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.”

The CTO Board also elected six subregional vice chairs.

The United States Virgin Islands will represent the US territories; the British Virgin Islands will represent the British overseas territories; Saint-Martin will represent the French-speaking territories; while St Kitts and Nevis and The Bahamas will represent CARICOM countries.

A representative for the Dutch-speaking territories will be selected at a later meeting.
The board chairman and six subregional vice chairs make up the CTO Board of Directors’ Executive Committee.

The leadership changes come ahead of the opening of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 on Wednesday.

SOTIC, being held under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive,” brings together tourism ministers, commissioners and directors, private-sector executives, regional and international partners, academics, media, young people and other stakeholders to discuss issues shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.