The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is set to launch an innovative new center at the upcoming 2025 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), held in collaboration with Winged Whale Media, a renowned global provider of immersive media solutions.
Cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) on various facets of tourism will be on display with the aim of demonstrating their transformative impact. A CTO media release stated that it will highlight how these tools are revolutionizing marketing strategies, enhancing visitor interactions, supporting workforce training, and bolstering destination resilience. Conference attendees will reportedly have the chance to engage with a range of interactive exhibits, including VR journeys through Caribbean reefs and rainforests, AI-driven booking assistants, and digital navigation aids.
Ed Limon, Co-founder and Producer of Winged Whale Media, emphasized that the purpose of the Innovation Hub is twofold: to inspire tourism industry leaders and to showcase practical technological solutions that can be adopted swiftly throughout the Caribbean region.
“Innovation is how we tell our stories, protect our places and welcome the world,” he stated.
Key features of the Innovation Hub include:
– Immersive VR experiences featuring Caribbean reefs, festivals, and scenic landscapes.
– AI-powered itinerary and booking assistants that offer round-the-clock multilingual support while collecting valuable visitor data.
– Virtual wayfinding tools designed to help visitors navigate event venues, resorts, and urban areas.
– AI-driven heritage avatars enabling interactions between visitors, staff, and virtual storytellers, artisans, and conservation guides.
Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General of the CTO, highlighted that the Innovation Hub reflects the organization’s commitment to maintaining the Caribbean’s competitive edge and preparing for the future.
“We cannot rely on our natural beauty alone to secure our future. By embracing innovation, investing in sustainability, and empowering our people, we can ensure that Caribbean tourism continues to grow stronger and more resilient in the years ahead,” she remarked.
In addition to showcasing technological advancements, the Hub will gather engagement data and feedback from conference delegates. The CTO explained that this information will assist the group and its partners in identifying pilot projects and initiatives suitable for implementation across various destinations in the region.
The organization also characterized the launch of the Innovation Hub at SOTIC 2025 as exemplifying its dedication to fostering collaboration among governments, private sector entities, and innovators.
The aim is to promote sustainable development, elevate visitor experiences, and reinforce the Caribbean’s status as a leading global tourism destination.
The conference is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort. Further details can be found at SOTIC 2025 https://sotic.onecaribbean.org.