Summary: The Caribbean Tourism Organization and Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean formalised a non-binding MoU at the CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda on February 24, 2026, launching a three-year cooperation to improve Caribbean air connectivity, capacity-building and sustainable tourism.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) have agreed to work together to strengthen Caribbean air connectivity. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the end of the first CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda on February 24, 2026, creating a non-binding framework to coordinate efforts that support improved air access, institutional and human capacity, and inclusive, sustainable tourism growth across CTO member states.

Why the Partnership Was Formed

CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper said the collaboration reflects a shared understanding that closer ties between aviation and tourism stakeholders are crucial to safeguarding the future of Caribbean tourism. By teaming with ACI-LAC, the CTO expects to unlock avenues that enhance air connectivity and help the region remain competitive and accessible in a global travel market.

MoU: Scope and Objectives

The agreement establishes a collaborative platform covering several priority areas: improving air access through route development, strengthening institutional and human capacity, and promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism growth. The non-binding MoU seeks to facilitate joint efforts such as research, policy advocacy and knowledge-sharing between the two organisations.

Planned Initiatives and Activities

  • Co-hosted conferences and workshops focused on air access and tourism resilience
  • Executive education and professional development programmes for aviation and tourism professionals
  • Joint research projects and policy advocacy to support route development and multi-destination travel
  • Knowledge-sharing initiatives to improve institutional capacity across CTO member states

A central aim is to coordinate activities that expand direct flights between islands and strengthen links to international markets. Enhanced connectivity is also intended to support multi-destination itineraries, encouraging visitors to explore multiple islands in a single trip, which could boost arrivals and extend average stays.

Airport runway and terminal in the Caribbean symbolising improved air access and connectivity
Representatives from CTO and ACI-LAC signed the MoU at the CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda on February 24, 2026

Aviation and Sustainability

Rafael Echevarne, Director General of ACI-LAC, underscored that air connectivity is fundamental to Caribbean development and that strengthening links to global markets can unlock new tourism prospects. The partnership also prioritises sustainability: both organisations plan to promote environmentally responsible practices, from encouraging airlines to adopt energy-efficient technologies to advancing eco-friendly tourism operations across the region.

Building Resilience and Capacity

The MoU sets out a three-year horizon for cooperation during which CTO and ACI-LAC will focus on capacity-building measures aimed at preparing airports and tourism stakeholders to respond to economic shifts, changing travel preferences, and natural hazards. Improved institutional and human capacity is expected to make the region more resilient and better positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities.

What This Means for Travel and the Industry

Greater coordination between aviation and tourism stakeholders could translate into more direct routes, improved inter-island connections and new multi-island itineraries. For destinations, this partnership promises stronger advocacy for route development and more targeted capacity programmes. For travellers, it could mean easier access, shorter transfer times and more options when planning Caribbean trips.

So what? The MoU formalises a cooperative approach to an enduring challenge for the region: connecting dispersed islands to each other and to the wider world. If the initiatives outlined under this agreement are enacted successfully over the next three years, the Caribbean could see measurable improvements in air access, tourism resilience and sustainable growth—benefiting local economies and making travel simpler and more attractive for visitors.