When the Caribbean’s next generation of tourism leaders gathered to pitch their ideas, the world’s largest cruise company wasn’t just watching from the sidelines — it was helping decide who takes the top prize. Carnival Corporation stepped up as lead sponsor of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress, an event that put student voices at the center of the region’s most pressing tourism conversations.
Held Oct. 8 as part of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Georgetown, Guyana, the congress brought together students from across the Caribbean to present their perspectives on issues affecting regional tourism and share ideas for the industry’s future. The event is a longstanding fixture of SOTIC, designed to help students debate tourism-related topics, sharpen their public speaking skills, and grapple with the real-world challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Marie McKenzie, senior vice president of government and destination affairs for Carnival Corporation, served as chief judge for the Youth Congress. She was joined by Jill Stone, founder and CEO of Blue Group Media, and Jim Brody, vice president of destination partnerships at Tripscout, in evaluating the students’ presentations.
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For McKenzie, the chance to engage with young people who are already thinking seriously about the region’s tourism industry was a highlight of Carnival Corporation’s participation in SOTIC. “It has been a privilege to serve as chief judge today, representing Carnival Corporation, and to hear from these remarkable young tourism leaders,” McKenzie said. “The strength of their ideas made choosing a winner especially difficult. From one Caribbean leader to the next generation of Caribbean leaders, never underestimate your ideas, your voice or your ability to make a difference.”
The company also provided the first-place prize for Amarni Webster, 15, of Anguilla, who was named the 2026 Youth Congress winner. In partnership with Acordis International Corporation, Carnival Corporation donated a laptop to support Webster’s continued education, with Philcher Grant, Carnival’s director of public and community affairs, making the presentation during the Youth Congress.
These contributions reflect Carnival Corporation’s ongoing engagement with the Caribbean and its interest in nurturing the young people who will eventually become part of the region’s tourism workforce and leadership. The company has supported the Youth Congress as part of its broader relationship with CTO and the Caribbean tourism sector, recognizing the value of giving young people a voice in conversations about an industry they will one day inherit.
PHOTO CAPTION: Carnival Corporation’s Philcher Grant and Marie McKenzie, at left, join Regional Tourism Youth Congress 2026 participants and CTO officials Thursday at SOTIC 2026 in Georgetown, Guyana. Seated in front, from left, are second-place finisher Raia Cargill of The Bahamas, winner Amarni Webster of Anguilla and third-place finisher Jahneil McKenzie of Barbados.
About Carnival Corporation
Carnival Corporation is the largest global cruise company and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines – AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn. Carnival Corporation Ltd. trades under the ticker symbol CCL on the NYSE and is a member of the S&P 500.
For more information, please visit www.carnivalcorp.com, www.aida.de, www.carnival.com, www.costacruises.com, www.cunard.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com, www.princess.com, and www.seabourn.com.
Natalia Lopez
Marketplace Excellence
+1 201-861-2056
Why it matters: By investing in the Youth Congress and rewarding student talent, Carnival Corporation is signaling that the cruise industry’s future depends on fresh, local perspectives. Supporting young leaders today helps ensure the Caribbean tourism sector remains vibrant, resilient, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.
