Antigua and Barbuda hosted the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the most important B2B tourism event in the region, and for the first time, it was experienced under the leadership of Sanovnik Destang, who officially took office as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in September 2024.

In an exclusive conversation with ABC MUNDIAL, Destang shared his vision for the future of Caribbean tourism, highlighting opportunities in investment, regional connectivity, and market diversification.

“This allows me to see Marketplace from a different perspective”

– What was your first experience like leading this event as President of the CHTA?

“This is my first Marketplace since assuming the presidency in September. It’s been very different being on the other side. Antigua and Barbuda, hosting for the first time, have done a fantastic job. It’s truly been incredible,” said Destang enthusiastically.

So far, more than 9,300 business meetings have taken place, making this edition the second highest in terms of meetings since the pandemic.

“This figure is on par with previous years. It's the second highest since COVID. So, it’s truly a great accomplishment. And we’ll definitely be back,” he affirmed.

Strong investment in hotel infrastructure

When we speak about the investment pipeline, we refer to all the projects currently being planned, under construction, or set to launch in the tourism and hospitality sector.

“The expansion pipeline in the Caribbean is very robust. We’ve seen major developments in the Dominican Republic and also in destinations like Saint Lucia,” said Destang.

“We attended the Latin American and Caribbean Lodging Investment Summit, and it was clear that the region remains very attractive to investors. There is strong demand and solid returns, with innovative new types of accommodations entering the market,” he added.

Diversifying markets: looking beyond the U.S.

“The United States will always be our main market due to proximity and history, but we can’t put all our eggs in one basket,” Destang explained.

“We’re seeing a significant rise in demand from Canada, even during summer, which is unusual. There’s also impressive growth from Latin America, with a 100% increase in demand based on booking volume,” shared the CHTA President.

Regional connectivity: ‘It’s the lowest hanging fruit’

One of the most urgent points for Destang is air connectivity between Caribbean islands.

“We have 40 million people in the region, and yet it’s expensive and difficult to move between islands. This is a problem we’ve been discussing for years. We need to stop talking and start doing.”

“Europe and Asia show us that fluid mobility is possible. We should have a unified ‘Caribbean space.’ That is our goal at CHTA,” he insisted.

Concrete steps are already being taken: “Barbados and Saint Lucia have agreed to cut taxes on regional flights by half during the summer of 2025. Other destinations like Saint Martin and Antigua and Barbuda have also shown interest in following this path.”

Where will the next Marketplace be held?

“We’re in talks with a few destinations, including one very close to you (the journalist is from Puerto Rico). We hope to finalize the agreement by the end of June. The idea is to announce the host not only for 2026 but also for 2027,” Destang revealed.

Sanovnik Destang brings a new leadership style to CHTA: direct, strategic, and regionally focused. With increasing investments, diversified markets, and a region more committed to integration, the Caribbean has the tools to build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient tourism future.