BVI Delegation Joins SOTIC 2024 in the Cayman Islands

A delegation from the British Virgin Islands, led by Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism, is attending the annual State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in the Cayman Islands from September 2 to 6, 2024. The event, organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), is a major gathering for industry leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers across the region.

The conference, which officially commenced on September 4, features a series of presentations and discussions on key topics such as sustainability, technology and innovation, aviation and connectivity, cruise tourism, leadership and legacy, and business continuity planning. McCoy presented on the topic of Business Continuity Planning, sharing insights from the British Virgin Islands’ experiences, following his participation in the CTO business sessions earlier in the week.

The BVI delegation includes Natalie Penn-Lake, Standards & Training Manager at the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission (BVITBFC); Calvin Smith, Product Officer for Transportation at BVITBFC; Naomi Onwufuju, the 2023 winner of the Tourism Youth Congress; Adrianne Thomas, BVI’s representative at the CTO Tourism Youth Congress; and Lucena Weekes, an English teacher from Elmore Stoutt High School.

“The business meetings were very productive and informative,” McCoy noted. “I was pleased to share my knowledge on how our experiences in the Territory have shaped our business continuity planning. I am also looking forward to seeing our Junior Ambassador of Tourism, Ms. Adrianne Thomas, represent us at the highly anticipated CTO Tourism Youth Congress.”

The highlight of the week will be the CTO Tourism Youth Congress, scheduled for Thursday, September 5, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Adrianne Thomas, a student from Elmore Stoutt High School, will compete to become the top regional presenter, following in the footsteps of previous BVI representatives.

The week’s activities will conclude with a closing ceremony on Thursday evening, followed by a wrap-up press conference on Friday morning, September 6. The BVI delegation’s participation underscores the territory’s commitment to fostering tourism growth and innovation in the region.