ABCAS Student Janica Adams Named Junior Minister of Tourism After Winning National Youth Congress Competition

A student from the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) has been selected as the nation's new Junior Minister of Tourism, emerging victorious from a field of eight competitors at the 2026 National Tourism Youth Congress held at the Sir John E. St. Luce Financial Centre on Thursday.

Janica Adams, a former Tourism Cadet and Leeward Islands debating champion hailing from ABCAS, stood out among seven peers representing secondary schools across Antigua and Barbuda to claim the title.

The Format and the Challenge

Students were required to prepare one of four tourism-related topics to discuss during the first round of the competition, with three minutes to present, followed by a mystery topic — given to each participant with just one minute to prepare and another to present. The format was designed to test not only knowledge of tourism but the kind of quick thinking, poise, and command of subject matter that the regional competition demands.

Pete Charles from the Sir Novelle Richards Academy took the first runner-up spot, while Soleil Williams from the Antigua Grammar School finished second.

Congratulations are also due to all the other participants: Jahniya Cornelius of St. Mary's Secondary School; Danae Foster of Christ the King High School; Julissa George of All Saints Secondary School; Deanna Lando of Clare Hall Secondary School; and Kayleigh Martyr of the Divine Academy of Excellence.

What Winning Means

The winner of the local Youth Congress competition goes on to represent Antigua and Barbuda at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Youth Congress, held in conjunction with the State of the Tourism Industry Conference — bringing together tourism ministers, policymakers, academics, and private-sector leaders from across the Caribbean.

The 2026 CTO Tourism Youth Congress will be held in Georgetown, Guyana from October 5 to 9.

Many former participants have gone on to careers in tourism, government, law, communications, hospitality, and international relations, making the programme an important pipeline for developing the Caribbean's next generation of tourism leaders.

Tourism Minister Congratulates the New Junior Minister

Tourism Minister the Honourable Charles Fernandez, who was a guest of honour at the competition, praised both the winner and the programme.

"The Tourism Youth Congress continues to provide an invaluable platform for developing the next generation of tourism leaders, and today's winner has proven to be an exceptional ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda," Fernandez said. "I congratulate our new Junior Minister of Tourism on this well-deserved accomplishment and commend all the students who participated in this year's competition. As you prepare to represent our nation, I encourage you to embrace this opportunity with confidence, knowing that your voice will help shape conversations about the future of tourism in our region."

The Antigua and Barbuda edition of the Tourism Youth Congress is organised by the Tourism Education, Training and Awareness Department within the Ministry of Tourism, headed by Manager Tracey Browne.

For Janica Adams, a debating champion now stepping onto the Caribbean's biggest tourism stage as Antigua and Barbuda's Junior Minister of Tourism, the journey from the ABCAS campus to Georgetown is a powerful testament to what preparation, confidence, and a passion for the industry can achieve.