Anguilla to Host Caribbean Tourism Organization’s First Sports Tourism Summit in 2027

Anguilla has been selected to host the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) inaugural Sports Tourism Summit from August 12 to 14, 2027, bringing regional tourism and sporting stakeholders together to explore new opportunities for economic growth, investment and youth development.

The announcement was made during the CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 in Georgetown, Guyana, where regional tourism leaders gathered under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive.”

The three-day summit will provide a platform for Caribbean destinations to examine how sporting events, facilities and experiences can strengthen tourism offerings while generating opportunities for businesses and local communities.

CTO Seeks to Expand Sports Tourism Across the Caribbean

The inaugural summit will bring together government representatives, tourism officials, athletes, sporting organisations, event organisers, destination marketers and private-sector stakeholders.

Discussions will focus on developing sports tourism as a contributor to regional economic activity, with particular attention to attracting international visitors, establishing partnerships and creating opportunities for local participation.

CTO Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer Dona Regis-Prosper said the initiative recognises the significant role sports can play in Caribbean tourism development.

“Sports is one of the most powerful connectors we have in the Caribbean, and its potential as a driver of tourism deserves greater regional attention,” said Regis-Prosper.

“This summit will create a dedicated space for destinations to share ideas, build partnerships and look more strategically at how sporting events and experiences can contribute to tourism growth while generating meaningful benefits for our people. Anguilla is an excellent destination in which to begin that conversation.”

The event is expected to encourage greater cooperation between the region’s tourism and sporting sectors while identifying ways to strengthen the Caribbean’s position in the international sports tourism market.

Anguilla Positions Itself as a Sports Tourism Destination

Hosting the summit presents an opportunity for Anguilla to promote its sporting facilities and experiences alongside its established luxury tourism offerings.

The island has increasingly incorporated sporting activities into its destination development strategy, complementing its reputation for beaches, upscale accommodation, culinary experiences and wellness tourism.

Anguilla’s Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports, Cardigan Connor, said the summit reflects the island’s ambition to expand its participation in the sports tourism industry.

A former first-class cricketer, Connor highlighted the opportunities that sporting activities can create beyond tourism revenue.

“Having spent much of my life in sports, I have seen firsthand the doors it can open,” Connor said.

“Anguilla sees tremendous potential at the intersection of sports and tourism — not only to attract visitors and generate economic activity, but also to provide pathways to training, international exposure, scholarships and careers for young Anguillians and Caribbean nationals.”

Tennis and Golf Among Anguilla’s Sporting Strengths

Anguilla intends to use the summit to showcase its existing sporting infrastructure and explore opportunities for further development.

The island’s tennis facilities, golf offerings and sporting traditions are expected to feature prominently in discussions about its potential to attract sports-related travel.

Connor said these assets provide a foundation for strengthening Anguilla’s position in the market.

“Sports bring people together and generate reasons to travel,” he said.

“With our tennis facilities, championship golf offerings and deep sporting traditions, we have an opportunity to position Anguilla more deliberately in this market. Hosting the first CTO Sports Tourism Summit allows us to showcase our strengths while helping to advance a regional conversation around this burgeoning market.”

The minister also highlighted the relationship between sports, health and community development.

He pointed to the potential for sporting initiatives to support charitable causes, including fundraising for individuals and families affected by cancer.

Drawing on the disease’s impact within the Caribbean cricketing community, Connor suggested that sports could provide a platform for regional solidarity and community support.

Summit to Showcase Anguilla’s Wider Tourism Offering

Beyond sporting facilities and events, the summit will provide Anguilla with an opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities as a destination for meetings, conferences and international gatherings.

Jameel Rochester, Director of Tourism for the Anguilla Tourist Board, said the event could introduce industry stakeholders to the island’s broader visitor experiences.

“For Anguilla, sports tourism is about much more than staging an event. It is about creating another compelling reason to visit the destination and then connecting those visitors with our accommodations, restaurants, beaches, culture, experiences and, most important, our people,” Rochester said.

“The summit allows us to demonstrate that a small destination can develop distinctive experiences, build smart partnerships and deliver the high level of hospitality for which Anguilla is known.”

The summit also presents opportunities for local hospitality providers, restaurants, transportation operators and other tourism businesses to benefit from increased exposure to regional and international industry representatives.

Caribbean Sports Tourism Summit Scheduled for August 2027

The inaugural CTO Sports Tourism Summit is scheduled to take place in Anguilla from August 12 to 14, 2027.

The initiative marks a new addition to the organisation’s regional tourism development activities, with a dedicated focus on the relationship between sporting events, travel and economic opportunities.

As Caribbean destinations seek to diversify their tourism products, sports tourism offers potential for attracting visitors beyond traditional leisure travel while supporting youth development and community engagement.

Further information regarding the summit’s venue, programme, speakers and registration process will be released in the coming months.