Kingstown, St. Vincent April 30, 2026 -A new voice for youth in tourism has emerged as Braxton Lewis of North Union Secondary School captured the title of 2026 Junior Minister of Tourism during the National Tourism Youth Congress held at the NIS Conference Room.
Lewis impressed judges with his presentation on “Cultural Industries and Tourism Innovation”, earning the chance to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the regional level.
Aaron McDonald of the St. Vincent Grammar School placed second with a focus on social media and sustainable destination management, while Xia Glass of the Girls’ High School secured third place with another presentation on cultural industries.
The event, hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development, brought together eight students from across the country, including participants from Bequia and Union Island.
Delivering opening remarks, Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Sustainable Development Dr. Tamira Browne described the congress as “a rehearsal for the future”, stressing that it was designed to inspire and empower young leaders. She noted that tourism remains vital to the national economy but is rapidly evolving due to technology, sustainability demands, and global trends.
“Today’s Congress is not simply about competition. It is about the stimulation of leadership and a powerful statement that the voices of our youth matter,” Browne told the gathering.
This year’s congress marked the first participation from Bequia and the return of Union Island students following recovery challenges linked to Hurricane Beryl.
Other participants included Angelique Edwards (Bishop’s College Kingstown), MaKiesha Charles (Buccament Bay Secondary), Acadjiah Ashton (Union Island Secondary), Chiara Farrell (Charles Adams Anglican High), and Nailah Jordon (Dr. J.P. Eustace Memorial).
All students received medals and gift bags courtesy of the Ministry and the SVG Tourism Authority. The congress forms part of a wider Caribbean Tourism Organization initiative to engage youth in tourism leadership across the region