ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, May 2025 .- At the sun-kissed shores of Sandals Grande Antigua, the Caribbean Travel Forum 2025 emerged as a pivotal moment for regional tourism. Convened by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the event gathered top-tier industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders from across the Caribbean to reimagine the sector through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.

The two-day forum, held ahead of Caribbean Travel Marketplace, embraced a strong business-to-business (B2B) focus, highlighting key pillars essential to the future of the industry: connectivity, investment, policy, and people.

Redefining the Caribbean Experience in a Shifting Global Landscape

Olivier Ponti, Director at ForwardKeys, opened the event by unveiling the 2025 Caribbean Travel Trends report. Despite a forecasted growth in regional tourism, he signaled a shift: “Travel intent is high, but competition is fierce.” Emerging markets like Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and Spain are now on the radar, while digital nomads, luxury travelers, and families are reshaping expectations.

"Large destinations are taking greater market share," Ponti noted, prompting a call for smaller islands to differentiate through culture, gastronomy, and authentic experiences.

Economic Realities: Risk or Opportunity?

Zeek Coleman from Tourism Economics warned of the fragile global economy. Despite low unemployment and easing inflation, consumer confidence remains shaky. However, he highlighted the Caribbean’s proximity to the U.S. as a competitive advantage—if leveraged smartly. Still, geopolitical tensions and the looming threat of a U.S. recession could test the region’s resilience.

Airlift Challenges: The Call for Regional Unity

Arguably the forum’s most charged discussion centered on intra-Caribbean air connectivity, a long-standing bottleneck for regional integration and tourism growth.

CHTA President Sanovnik Destang moderated a high-stakes panel that included Valerie Damaseau (Saint-Martin), Mario Reyes (St. Lucia Tourism Authority), and Claudio Buncamper (Sunrise Airways). Their message was clear: fixing regional airlift is a strategic necessity.

Among proposed solutions:

• Restructuring Caribbean airspace into a single regional zone
• Reducing aviation taxes
• Reforming visa policies that hinder intra-regional mobility
• Deploying aircraft more efficiently across routes

"We’ve been talking about this for years," Destang said. "It’s time to act."

Tourism Must Serve Local Economies

During a session led by Nicola Madden-Greig, past president of CHTA, panelists explored how tourism can better connect with local agriculture, manufacturing, and entertainment sectors.

Aswad Morgan from the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and Winston Anderson of Sandals Resorts shared examples of cross-industry success, demonstrating that tourism can be a catalyst for inclusive growth.

Sustainability in Motion: A Blueprint from Antigua and Barbuda

Hosted by Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez, the sustainability panel was among the event’s most compelling.

Leaders like Ambassador Diann Black-Layne, Dr. Deborah Brosnan, and Ruleo Camacho shared real-world examples:

• Redonda’s ecological transformation into a thriving nature reserve
• Coral reef restoration projects to protect marine biodiversity
• Community-led development in Barbuda setting a regional precedent

These efforts present a model of regenerative tourism and climate resilience, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Environmental Awareness Group.

Tourism by the Numbers—and the Heart

Carl Gordon of Mastercard highlighted data from their Global Travel Trends 2025 report: travelers are staying longer and spending more. The Caribbean’s appeal lies in its people, beaches, and a growing appetite for wellness, nature, and culture.

James Hepple from Tourism Analytics, meanwhile, flagged rising operational costs, airport infrastructure gaps, and short-term rental regulation as top advocacy issues, based on a new CHTA member survey. These findings will power the organization’s Advocacy Repository, a strategic tool launching later this year.

Investment Momentum: The Pipeline Is Strong

Destang also highlighted the region’s robust investment pipeline, citing major projects in Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia, and strong investor interest from the Latin American and Caribbean Lodging Investment Summit.

"The Caribbean remains highly attractive to investors, with innovative lodging concepts entering the market," he said.

He also pointed to a 100% rise in demand from Latin America and growing Canadian travel even in summer months—"not traditionally a peak time."

A Message from the Top: Vision, Action, and Unity

Vanessa Ledesma, CEO of CHTA, praised the event’s success and B2B format: “Suppliers are seeing real opportunities—not just in new markets, but in revitalized interest from established ones.”

CHTA President Destang closed with a powerful message:
"We’re building a tourism industry that uplifts communities, empowers youth, and protects our environment. Whether it's sports tourism, culinary travel, or new market engagement, our focus is clear: turning insights into impact."

The Caribbean Travel Forum 2025 was more than a conference—it was a call to action. From fixing regional airlift to accelerating sustainability and investment, the Caribbean is positioning itself not just as a leading destination, but as a unified, forward-thinking region ready to meet the future head-on.