CTO scholarship foundation launches 30th anniversary challenge for 30 scholarships

The Caribbean Tourism Organization Scholarship Foundation kicked off a regional campaign at SOTIC 2026 in Guyana to fund 30 scholarships in 2027, its 30th anniversary year. Seven Caribbean governments pledged support immediately, underscoring a push to train the next generation of tourism leaders as the industry faces new technology shifts.

Why it matters: - The Caribbean tourism sector depends on a steady pipeline of trained leaders, managers and specialists. - The challenge ties education funding directly to the region’s long-term economic engine. - The Foundation is using its 30th anniversary to push governments to invest in tourism talent now.

What happened: - The Caribbean Tourism Organization Scholarship Foundation launched “30 Years, 30 Futures: Our Pearl Scholars” at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference, or SOTIC, in Guyana. - The campaign aims to award 30 scholarships and grants to Caribbean nationals in 2027, the Foundation’s 30th anniversary year. - Jacqueline Johnson, chair of the CTOSF and president of MarryCaribbean.com, presented the initiative at the Council of Ministers meeting. - Johnson challenged each Caribbean government to mark the Foundation’s Pearl Anniversary by funding a scholarship for one of its nationals in a travel or tourism-related field.

The details: - Seven Caribbean governments immediately pledged scholarships after the challenge was announced. - Antigua and Barbuda was first to commit. - The pledge from Antigua and Barbuda came from Charles “Max” Fernandez, newly elected chair of the CTO Council of Ministers and minister of tourism, civil aviation, transportation and investment. - Fernandez pledged a scholarship in honor of Dame Yvonne Maginley, described as a former deputy governor-general and a pioneer of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism industry. - Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, pledged support. - Turks and Caicos Islands’ minister responsible for tourism, agriculture, fisheries, heritage and the environment also pledged a scholarship. - Anguilla’s Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports, Cardigan Connor, joined the challenge. - Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, pledged a scholarship. - Jennifer Matarangas-King, commissioner of tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands, pledged support. - Clive McCoy, director of tourism and film commission for the British Virgin Islands, also pledged a scholarship. - Each pledge is intended to support a student from the respective destination. - CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper praised the initiative and said the Foundation has helped Caribbean people pursue tourism careers for nearly three decades. - Regis-Prosper said the Foundation’s education work has strengthened the industry by investing in the people who shape it. - The CTOSF says the challenge reflects its long-running focus on building Caribbean talent and preparing the region’s tourism workforce for a fast-changing global environment. - Johnson said the Foundation’s goal is to award 30 scholarships to Caribbean students in travel and tourism-related fields. - Johnson said technology, including artificial intelligence, is transforming the travel landscape and makes workforce preparation more urgent. - Johnson said leaders must equip the next generation to promote and protect an industry that drives economic growth across the region.

Between the lines: - The early pledges suggest the Foundation framed the campaign as a shared regional test of commitment, not just a fundraising appeal. - Linking the anniversary to scholarships turns a celebration into a policy and workforce development moment. - The focus on artificial intelligence signals that tourism education is now being positioned as a technology and leadership issue, not only a hospitality issue.

What's next: - The Foundation will continue reaching out to Caribbean governments to secure additional scholarship pledges. - CTOSF wants to reach its target of 30 scholarships for the 2027 Pearl Anniversary year. - The campaign is likely to become a visible benchmark for regional support of tourism education heading into 2027.

The bottom line: - CTOSF is turning its 30th anniversary into a regional call to fund the next generation of Caribbean tourism leaders.