Anguilla’s Amarni Webster wins CTO youth tourism congress

Anguilla student Amarni Webster won the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Regional Tourism Youth Congress in Guyana, taking the title of Regional Junior Minister of Tourism from a field of 18 delegates. The competition spotlighted young Caribbean leaders pitching ideas for tourism’s future and will feed into CTO’s broader effort to build the sector’s next generation.

Why it matters: - The CTO youth congress is designed to give young Caribbean voices a direct role in shaping the region’s tourism future. - Webster’s win puts a spotlight on workforce development, skills building and access to tourism jobs across the Caribbean. - The program also creates a pipeline for future regional tourism leadership.

What happened: - Amarni Webster of Anguilla won the 2026 Caribbean Tourism Organization Regional Tourism Youth Congress in Guyana on Thursday. - Webster, a student at Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, was selected from 18 young delegates. - The contest was held during the State of the Tourism Industry Conference, or SOTIC. - The theme was “Caribbean Tourism Through the Eyes of Tomorrow.” - Webster earned the title Regional Junior Minister of Tourism.

The details: - Webster’s presentation focused on developing young talent, strengthening skills and expanding access to meaningful employment in tourism. - As Regional Junior Minister of Tourism, Webster will be mentored by a team representing lead sponsor Carnival Corporation. - Raia Cargill of Sunland Baptist Academy in The Bahamas placed second. - Cargill will serve as junior CTO secretary-general and will be mentored by CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper. - Jahneil McKenzie of Daryll Jordan Secondary School in Barbados placed third. - Janica Adams of the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies received special mention. - Jolé St. John of Tobago, the 2025 winner, chaired the congress. - Participants were tested on research, public speaking, critical thinking and responses to issues affecting Caribbean tourism. - Regis-Prosper congratulated Webster and the delegates, saying the young people deserve opportunities to help shape the industry they will inherit. - Regis-Prosper said investing in youth development is an investment in the region’s future.

Between the lines: - The congress is more than a student competition. It is a structured leadership program tied to the region’s tourism policy conversation. - The mentoring roles suggest CTO is using the event to build long-term relationships between youth leaders and industry decision-makers. - The awards also show how Caribbean tourism institutions are trying to connect education, employment and sector sustainability. - The youth program brought delegates together with students, educators and youth organizations in the host destination.

What’s next: - Webster will move into the Regional Junior Minister of Tourism role and receive mentorship from Carnival Corporation representatives. - Cargill will step into the junior CTO secretary-general role and gain exposure to regional tourism leadership. - CTO said the Regional Tourism Youth Congress will continue to strengthen youth participation, develop emerging leaders and ensure young Caribbean voices help shape the sector’s future. - SOTIC will continue with support from conference partners and sponsors including Amadeus, the Inter-American Development Bank, ASM Global Route Development, the Association of Value Airlines, Digicel Business, Atlantic Suites Hotel, Carnival Corporation and interCaribbean Airways.

The bottom line: - CTO is turning its youth congress into a leadership pipeline for the Caribbean tourism industry. - Webster’s win underscores the region’s push to pair tourism growth with youth opportunity and skills development.

More information: CTO’s website