The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Youth Congress returns on October 2, 2025, as part of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Barbados, bringing together teenagers from 16 countries and territories to compete as Junior Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism. Tourism fuels more than 30 percent of the economy in several Caribbean nations, and this event gives young people a direct role in shaping the industry’s future. If you’re traveling to Barbados with a teen interested in tourism, policy, or public speaking, this is a rare window into how the region is developing its next generation of leaders.
Students aged 14–17 from 16 Caribbean countries compete as Junior Ministers of Tourism during SOTIC 2025 in Barbados.
The Youth Congress is a one-day event embedded in the broader SOTIC conference. It’s not open to the general public as a walk-in, but families attending SOTIC or visiting Barbados that week can inquire about observer access. The real value is for families with teens who might want to participate in future years, or for anyone curious about how Caribbean tourism is evolving.
| Tradition/Site | What It Is | Where | Etiquette Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTO Youth Tourism Congress | Competition where teens aged 14–17 serve as Junior Ministers or Commissioners, present tourism policy ideas, and attend leadership workshops | Barbados, during SOTIC 2025 (Oct 2) | Observer access may be limited; check with CTO or SOTIC organizers in advance. Respect the participants’ work — no disruptions during presentations. |
Having attended conferences with my husband Michael, I know how hard it can be to find sessions that genuinely engage a teenager. The Youth Congress structure — master classes, workshops, and a competition format — is designed to keep 14-to-17-year-olds actively involved rather than sitting through lectures. Here’s what to expect if you’re planning to attend or just want to understand what this event means for Caribbean tourism.
Youth Tourism Congress: A Real Platform for Young Leaders
Started in 2000, the Youth Congress has grown into a fixture of the Caribbean tourism calendar. The 2024 edition took place in the Cayman Islands, where Keyana Warner of Nevis took top honors. For 2025, the event moves to Barbados as part of SOTIC, with 16 countries sending delegates: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
What makes the Youth Congress different from a typical school debate is the real-world context. Participants are evaluated on their understanding of tourism’s economic weight — in some Caribbean nations, the sector accounts for more than 30 percent of GDP, according to World Bank data. The competition pushes them to think about air connectivity challenges, sustainable development, and how to market their islands to specific traveler segments. For a teen considering a career in hospitality, policy, or international relations, the experience is hard to replicate in a classroom.
The event is supported by Breeze Travel Solutions, Carnival Corporation & plc, Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx), Marketplace Excellence (MPE), and Winged Whale Media. Industry analysts note that youth-centered discussions like this are increasingly influencing regional tourism policy — not just as a feel-good exercise, but as a pipeline for fresh ideas. If you’re traveling to Barbados during SOTIC, it’s worth checking whether any of the Youth Congress sessions are open to observers, even if your teen isn’t a delegate.
Practical Considerations for Attending the Youth Congress
The Youth Congress runs on the first day of SOTIC, October 2, 2025. If you’re planning a family trip to Barbados around that date, here’s what to factor in.
Access and Registration
The Youth Congress is part of the SOTIC program, which is primarily a professional conference. General public access isn’t guaranteed, but the CTO has historically been receptive to media and educational observers. Your best bet is to contact the Caribbean Tourism Organization directly ahead of the event to ask about observer passes. If you’re already registered for SOTIC, you’ll have the easiest path in.
Where to Stay in Barbados
SOTIC typically takes place at a resort on the island’s west or south coast. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of the island’s hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare against the beach or the conference venue. The south coast tends to offer more budget-friendly options, while the west coast has higher-end resorts with easier access to the conference hotels.
What to Bring
If you’re a parent attending with a teen who might be interested in future participation, consider bringing a notebook and a camera to capture the presentations. For documenting the event and the island, a compact camera like the DJI Osmo Action 6 Bundle gives you 8K video and 360° stabilization, which is handy for both conference halls and beach days. If your teen is more into still photography, the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo offers vertical shooting for social media and a 114-minute total flight time across three batteries — useful for aerial shots of Barbados’ coastline without needing a permit (under 249g).
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If your teen is interested in competing in a future Youth Congress, contact the CTO at least six months before the event. Each country’s delegation is selected locally, so you’ll need to connect with your island’s tourism ministry or education department early.
Before You Go: Youth Congress in Barbados — Questions Families Ask
Can my teen attend the Youth Congress without being a delegate?
Observer access is possible but not guaranteed. The CTO encourages educational interest, but space is limited. Reach out to Sharon Banfield-Bovell at the CTO’s resource mobilization and development office to ask about observer passes for your family.
What age range is the Youth Congress for?
Delegates must be between 14 and 17 years old. The competition is designed for secondary school students, and each country sends one delegate. If your teen is younger, they won’t be eligible to compete, but they can still attend as an observer to learn about the format.
Is there a downside to attending with a family?
The main limitation is that the Youth Congress is a one-day event within a larger professional conference. If you’re not already in Barbados for SOTIC, the travel costs may not justify a single day of programming. That said, Barbados itself is a solid family destination, so you could build a longer trip around it.
What kind of workshops are offered?
Ed Limon, cofounder and CEO of Winged Whale Media, leads a master class on tourism storytelling and media. Davina Layne facilitates a career workshop focused on professional pathways in the industry. Both sessions are interactive and geared toward teens.
How do countries select their delegates?
Each participating country and territory selects its own Junior Minister or Commissioner through local processes, often coordinated by the national tourism office or ministry of education. There’s no central application — you need to inquire within your specific island.
Why This Event Matters Beyond the Competition
What struck me most about the Youth Congress is how it reframes the typical “youth as future leaders” phrase into something concrete. These teens aren’t just giving speeches — they’re responding to the same air connectivity challenges and sustainability questions that industry professionals grapple with at SOTIC. For a 15-year-old from St. Eustatius or Dominica, standing in front of tourism ministers and presenting a workable idea is a genuinely formative experience. If you’re traveling to Barbados with a teen who’s curious about how tourism actually works, peeking into this event might change how they see the industry — and maybe even their own role in it someday. At our guide to how Dominica and Barbados are collaborating on tourism promotion, we talk about the kind of cross-island cooperation that the Youth Congress embodies in miniature.
References
United Pac St. Lucia. “CTO Regional Tourism Youth Congress returns at SOTIC 2025 in Barbados.” 2025. ↗
If you’re planning a longer trip around SOTIC, our post on sustainable vacation rentals in Barbados pairs well with the conference’s focus on responsible tourism. And for getting around the island during your stay, check out how Uber has changed transportation in Barbados — it’s a practical read for families navigating between the conference venue and the beach.
Explore Places to Stay in Barbados
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.