Students have been invited to test their communication skills at the 2026 Bermuda Youth Tourism Speech Competition.

The event, intended to support youth development and bolster Bermuda’s future tourism workforce, is open to students between 15 and 17 enrolled in a local secondary school or eligible home school.

Participants will benefit from professional speech coaching, with one to be selected to represent Bermuda at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s regional youth tourism congress to be held in Guyana this October.

The event being is being organised by the Bermuda Tourism Authority in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, the Bermuda Youth Parliament and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

Erin Wright, acting BTA chief executive, said: “Local involvement is central to Bermuda’s National Tourism Plan, and initiatives like this help young people see themselves in the future of the industry.

“By building confidence and communication skills, we’re also highlighting the wide range of career pathways tourism offers and how it connects Bermudians to the world.”

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, added: “Youth engagement is essential for creating a robust tourism economy in Bermuda.

“This competition not only builds confidence and communication skills but also encourages young Bermudians to participate in the democratic process.

“The ability to express ideas clearly and confidently is essential to effective leadership and civic involvement and this programme creates a space for our youth to begin developing those skills early.”

Interested students are encouraged to sign up at www.gotobermuda.com/bta/speechcompetition before the deadline of May 8.