The 2026 edition of the Caribbean International Tourism Summit (CITS) has officially launched its five-day program of industry dialogue, partnership building, and collaborative strategy development, according to event organizers. Held against a backdrop of ongoing post-pandemic recovery for the global travel and tourism sector, the summit brings together more than 800 stakeholders from 42 countries, including senior government tourism officials, private sector hotel operators, airline executives, sustainable tourism advocates, and fintech providers serving the travel industry.
Opening remarks from CITS 2026 chair Maria Gonzalez focused on the urgent need for Caribbean nations to align on shared climate-resilient tourism infrastructure goals, as the region faces growing risks from sea level rise and extreme weather events that threaten its $55 billion annual tourism economy. Attendees will participate in working sessions covering three core themes: expanding access to affordable green financing for small tourism businesses, diversifying regional tourism products beyond all-inclusive beach resorts, and leveraging digital innovation to streamline cross-border travel for international visitors.
Several major partnership announcements are expected ahead of the summit’s closing on October 17, including a regional initiative to increase airlift from emerging Asian tourism markets and a $200 million fund to support coastal conservation projects tied to tourism development. Event organizers note that the 2026 summit marks the first time the event has been hosted in the Dominican Republic, a reflection of the country’s position as the largest tourism economy in the Caribbean. Local officials expect the summit to generate more than $12 million in direct economic activity for the host city, and to position the Dominican Republic as a regional leader in sustainable tourism innovation.