The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has officially announced the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) 2026, scheduled to take place from November 16 to 18 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle in Barbados.

Under the theme “Caribbean Tourism 2030: Resilient. Regenerative. Ready.”, the forum will bring together hospitality and tourism leaders from across the region to discuss emerging trends, share practical solutions, and prepare destinations and businesses for the future of Caribbean tourism.

Widely recognized as the Caribbean hospitality industry's leading forum for professional development, collaboration and knowledge-sharing, CHIEF has become a key platform for addressing the opportunities and challenges shaping the region’s tourism sector.

As the industry moves toward 2030, the conference will focus on sustainability goals, resilience planning, technological innovation, workforce development, and changing traveler expectations.

“The Caribbean has long demonstrated its ability to adapt and innovate, but the coming years will require us to think differently about how we grow, develop talent, embrace technology and strengthen resilience,” said CHTA President Sanovnik Destang.

The 2026 program will be structured around six key content pillars: Technology & AI, Operational Excellence, Marketing & Revenue Growth, Sustainability & Resilience, Leadership & Workforce Development, and Innovation & New Business Models.

Attendees will benefit from keynote presentations, CHIEF Talks featuring industry experts and innovators, interactive discussions, peer-learning sessions, networking opportunities, engagement with hospitality technology providers, and real-world case studies demonstrating successful business strategies.

CHIEF 2026 is designed for hotel owners, general managers, hospitality executives, department heads, tourism stakeholders, destination representatives, association leaders and hospitality solution providers seeking actionable insights and meaningful industry connections.

Registration is now open. As part of a special launch promotion, the first 25 registrants will receive additional savings, along with access to preferred hotel rates and discounted airfare through participating airline partners.

Organizers expect strong attendance from tourism professionals across the Caribbean and beyond as the region prepares for a new decade of growth, innovation and sustainable development.