Home
»
MEETING AND EVENT INDUSTRY NEWS
»
Tobago’s Jolé St. John Wins 2025 Caribbean Tourism Organization Regional Tourism Youth Congress, Driving Sustainability Innovation in the Caribbean
Published on
October 4, 2025
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Tobago’s Jolé St. John has triumphed in the 2025 Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress, marking a significant milestone in her career. At just 16 years old, she has earned the title of Junior Minister of Tourism for the Caribbean, a prestigious position she will hold until the next Congress in 2026.
Her victory stands as a beacon of innovation in the Caribbean, particularly driving sustainability within the region’s tourism industry. St. John’s remarkable presentation on sustainable tourism, digital transformation, and heritage experiences impressed the judges and delegates alike, showcasing her passion for creating a more responsible future for tourism. Advertisement
Her success at the CTO Congress signals the beginning of a new era of youth leadership in Caribbean tourism. With sustainability at the core of her message, St. John’s ideas are set to influence how tourism evolves in the region moving forward.
Jolé St. John: Winner of 2025 CTO Regional Tourism Youth Congress
Sixteen-year-old Jolé St. John from Tobago has won the prestigious Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) 21st Regional Tourism Youth Congress, held on Thursday at the Hilton Barbados Resort. St. John, the Junior Secretary of Tourism for Tobago, impressed judges and delegates alike with her innovative ideas surrounding sustainable tourism, digital transformation, and heritage experiences. Her victory has earned her the title of Junior Minister of Tourism for the Caribbean until the 2026 Congress, marking a significant achievement for both her and the region’s tourism sector.
The event, part of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), brought together 15 talented students aged 14-17 from across the Caribbean. They each participated as Junior Ministers or Commissioners of Tourism, tasked with tackling issues that are reshaping the industry. These young minds delivered well-thought-out presentations on critical topics, including the evolution of tourism from its traditional focus on “sea, sun, and sand” to a new era of “smart technology, sustainable practices, and social inclusion.” St. John’s ability to tackle these modern challenges head-on showcased her readiness to lead the future of tourism in the Caribbean.
The Importance of Sustainability and Digital Transformation
During …