Antigua and Barbuda’s Junior Minister of Tourism, Kiara Kwenga, is set to represent her nation at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress. The event, scheduled for October 2 at the Hilton Barbados Resort, will gather young delegates aged 14 to 17 from 16 CTO member states and territories. Each participant, serving as a ‘Junior Minister or Commissioner of Tourism,’ will present innovative ideas and research on the future of Caribbean tourism. Organized in collaboration with the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and International Transport and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the Congress is a cornerstone of CTO’s youth development initiatives. It aims to foster critical thinking, enhance communication skills, and provide a platform for young visionaries to shape the region’s tourism sector. Sharon Banfield-Bovell, CTO’s Director of Resource Mobilization and Development, emphasized that the event is more than a competition; it’s a pathway to nurturing future leaders and innovators in tourism. Beyond the Congress, participants will engage in the broader State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), including a master class by Ed Limon of Winged Whale Media and a career-focused workshop led by Davina Layne. Last year’s top honors went to Nevis representative Keyana Warner, and this year, Kwenga and her peers will aim to impress judges with fresh perspectives on strengthening the Caribbean’s tourism industry. The 2025 Youth Congress is supported by Breeze Travel Solutions, Carnival Corporation & plc, Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx), Marketplace Excellence (MPE), and Winged Whale Media. The SOTIC conference runs from September 30 to October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Kiara Kwenga to Represent at Regional Tourism Youth Congress
