When the Caribbean Tourism Organization gathered young minds in Guyana this month to debate the future of regional travel, the world’s largest cruise operator wasn’t just in the audience — it was front and center, shaping the conversation.
At the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026, held Oct. 8 in Georgetown, Guyana, Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) served as lead sponsor of the CTO’s Regional Tourism Youth Congress, a platform where students from across the Caribbean presented their visions for the sector’s challenges and opportunities.
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA, October 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The event, part of the broader SOTIC conference, crowned 15-year-old Amarni Webster of Anguilla as the 2026 Youth Congress winner. Carnival Corporation provided the first-place prize, underscoring its commitment to cultivating the region’s future tourism workforce.
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Marie McKenzie, Carnival Corporation’s senior vice president of government and destination affairs, took on the role of chief judge for the competition. She was joined at the judging table by Jill Stone, founder and CEO of Blue Group Media, and Jim Brody, vice president of destination partnerships at Tripscout, as they assessed the students’ presentations on issues affecting Caribbean tourism.
For McKenzie, the experience went beyond evaluation — it was an opportunity to connect with young leaders already grappling with the industry’s complexities. “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.”
Beyond the top honor, Carnival Corporation teamed up with Acordis International Corporation to donate a laptop to Webster, supporting her continued education. Philcher Grant, Carnival’s director of public and community affairs, made the presentation during the congress, reinforcing the company’s hands-on approach to nurturing regional talent.
The Youth Congress has long been a cornerstone of SOTIC, drawing students from CTO member countries to sharpen their public speaking skills and tackle the pressing issues facing Caribbean tourism. Carnival Corporation’s sponsorship fits into its broader partnership with the CTO, recognizing the importance of giving young people a seat at the table in discussions about an industry they will one day lead.
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 youth forums like the CTO’s Youth Congress, Carnival Corporation is helping build a pipeline of local talent equipped to shape Caribbean tourism’s future. For an industry heavily reliant on regional destinations, cultivating homegrown leadership isn’t just corporate goodwill — it’s a strategic move toward sustainability and resilience.
