The 43rd edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the Caribbean’s leading tourism business event, kicked off today with a full day of activities at the campus of the American University of Antigua (AUA), the epicenter of this major regional gathering organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA).

Over two days, the event brings together international buyers, destination representatives, hoteliers, tour operators, and specialized media to establish strategic partnerships, present new offerings, and strengthen the Caribbean tourism industry. The agenda features more than 9,300 pre-scheduled business appointments between 173 suppliers from 25 Caribbean destinations and buyers from 16 international markets, including Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

The opening day was marked by multiple press conferences from destinations showcasing their renewed tourism offerings and announcing new promotional strategies. Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, the Virgin Islands, and Saint Lucia were among those sharing their plans focused on investment, sustainability, and enhanced air connectivity.

Shortly after midday, the much-anticipated CHTA press conference was held, led by President Sanovnik Destang, CEO Vanessa Ledesma, and First Vice President Karen Whitt, who highlighted the human dimension of the event.

Vanessa Ledesma shared key figures from this year’s edition:

“We have buyers from 16 international markets, including Argentina, Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Several travel advisors from the U.S. and the Caribbean have also joined us. On the supplier side, 173 participants represent 25 Caribbean destinations, and over 9,300 business appointments have been scheduled,” Ledesma noted.

Meanwhile, Karen Whitt, First Vice President of the CHTA and Chair of the Marketing Committee, emphasized the importance of the human connection:

“This is not just a transactional event. It's about relationships, about building trust, understanding each other’s needs. This edition puts the spotlight on the Caribbean’s diversity and the power of our personal connections,” she stated.

CHTA President Sanovnik Destang underscored the strategic evolution of the event and the growing role of technology:

“This is a high-level event — with participation from every destination: Puerto Rico, Jamaica, The Bahamas... We’ve been working for quite some time to make this happen, and I’m thrilled that this year, with the support of the tech and manufacturing sectors, we are hosting this level of hospitality. We’re also grateful that this initiative has become a reality. The focus is on digital technology and social media marketing. We usually attend fairs like ITB or other Caribbean events, but this is now the largest digital marketing conference in the region.”

The Caribbean Travel Marketplace is part of a broader strategy to boost the region’s positioning in global tourism markets, combining innovation, training, and sustainability. The event was preceded by the Caribbean Travel Forum, a dedicated day of dialogue on key topics such as digital transformation, talent development, and public-private collaboration.