Christopher Madeiros of Saltus Grammar School has won the 2026 Bermuda Youth Tourism Speech Competition. He will represent Bermuda at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Regional Tourism Youth Congress in Guyana this October.
Madeiros emerged from an original field of 11 students who spent the summer deepening their tourism knowledge and strengthening their public-speaking skills. Following the August 27 preliminary round, three students advanced to Thursday evening’s final at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), where they delivered prepared speeches and responded to a mystery question.
Joining Madeiros in the final were:
| · 2nd Place | Simari-Lee Burch | Bermuda Institute |
| · 3rd Place | Princess Mitch Dioko | The Berkeley Institute |
Presented by the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA), in partnership with Bermuda Youth Parliament, the programme gives young Bermudians a platform to explore tourism, build confidence and bring their own perspectives to conversations about the industry.
Madeiros’ speech explored migration in the Caribbean and the potential for deeper integration among CARICOM countries.
“Representing Bermuda in Guyana is an amazing opportunity — not just for myself, but also for all of the young people in Bermuda who feel so passionate,” said Madeiros. “I’m excited to bridge what I’ve done in these spaces and present that at a regional level.”
Madeiros will join students from across the Caribbean at the CTO Regional Tourism Youth Congress, where he will exchange views and build connections with his peers.
For the BTA, the competition is an investment in Bermuda’s young people, giving them a chance to engage with tourism, explore its possibilities and make their voices heard. Madeiros’ participation in Guyana takes that one step further, showcasing Bermudian talent on a wider stage.
“Christopher should be incredibly proud of what he has accomplished. It takes courage to stand up and speak from the heart, and he did it with real talent and a self-belief that’s inspiring. The whole island will be behind him as he represents Bermuda at the regional competition,” said Jan Hutton, Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Tourism Authority. “It’s been wonderful to watch these students grow in confidence and to hear what they have to say. They’ve challenged themselves, put in the work and brought their own Bermudian experiences to this journey. Tourism belongs to all of us, and I hope this experience has shown them, and every young Bermudian, that their voices can help shape where it goes next.”
