UCCI Students are Finalists Representing the Cayman Islands in CTO Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase 2025 Competition, New York

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism is proud to announce that a team of four students from the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) has been selected as finalists in the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase 2025 Competition, scheduled to take place on June 3, 2025 during Caribbean Week, June 1–5 in Times Square, New York.

The finalists representing the Cayman Islands are Jaedon Hanson, AAS Hospitality Management, Jevonne Reid, AAS Hospitality Management, Alicia Faulknor, AAS Business Administration, Khes Hamilton, BSc Business Administration.  The team is guided and will be accompanied by Dr. Aneka Hutchinson, Programme Director School of Hospitality Studies and Dr. Susanne Palmer, Assistant Professor Business & Finance Division, both dedicated educators at the University College of the Cayman Islands.

This prestigious competition, which features teams of tertiary-level students from universities and colleges in CTO member countries, aims to promote innovation, sustainability, and youth engagement in tourism under the theme, “Innovative Tourism: Bridging Sectors for Sustainable Growth”. To qualify, the team conducted research aimed at developing a 10-page practical tourism business proposal and a 3-minute video presentation that promotes sustainable development and has the potential to create viable income opportunities for the region.  This was followed by a rigorous review and selection process conducted by an esteemed panel of evaluators from one of CTO’s Industry Partner & Donor Agency, Government Members, Strategic Partner, and their Sustainable Tourism Division.

The UCCI team impressed judges with their thought-provoking project, on Dark Tourism immersive experience using Augmented Reality and Holograms, that explored the potential and ethical implications of promoting heritage sites associated with tragedy and historical trauma that shaped the Cayman Islands’ culture. Their research focused on how Cayman Islands as a sought-after destination, when approached respectfully, can serve as powerful tools for education, remembrance, and even sustainable economic development. They will be presenting live to a panel of judges, their innovative idea that has the potential to change the tourism landscape in the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Regional Nex-Gen Tourism Showcase competition is designed to engage future Caribbean tourism leaders and has proven to be an exciting experience for our students. Alicia stated, “It was a lot of sleepless nights, but this opportunity made every sleepless hour worth it”.  This is an opportunity for our students to shine on a national, regional, and international stage, inspiring their dreams and ambitions. “I’m extremely grateful for this fulfilling and educational experience of working with my teammates and coaches on this project, it has helped me to better work in a collaborative environment”, stated Jaedon.  The experience will help them to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications as they become more aware and gain more in-depth understanding of sustainable tourism practices in the Caribbean. Khes indicated that “It’s an honor to be part of the team representing the Cayman Islands.  This competition gives me the platform to turn vision into impact, and I am proud to bring something bold, community driven, and unforgettable to the table”. Our students will get the opportunity to present their ideas to tourism leaders, network, and engage in cultural exchange. In addition to the competition, the team will participate in the Caribbean Week’s activities, educational tours, including a visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.