Antigua and Barbuda gears up for the Caribbean travel market | News
As the Caribbean prepares for a busy spring and summer tourism calendar, Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, says the destination is in an advanced stage of readiness to host and leverage back-to-back editions of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace, May 12 to 15, at the American University of Antigua.
Speaking to the Caribbean Tourism Authority, James highlighted the coordinated national effort behind the preparations, noting that public and private sector teams have worked closely to deliver a seamless and impactful experience. The planning includes all aspects of the event, from the structure of the business-to-business meetings to curated opening and closing events designed to showcase the destination. In addition to facilitating commercial exchanges between buyers and suppliers, the strategy also includes immersing visiting media, tour operators and MICE planners in the Antigua and Barbuda experience to strengthen their ability to promote the destination globally.
The approach reflects a broader philosophy that underpins the destination’s recent success. James pointed to strong collaboration between stakeholders as a key driver and described the synergy between the public and private sectors as ‘on steroids’.
That momentum is evident in the performance data, with Antigua and Barbuda recording its highest ever January aircraft arrivals this year, alongside continued growth in the cruise and yacht sectors.
The destination also uses its events calendar to maintain interest and increase economic impact. New and established major events – including the Antigua Racing Cup and the internationally recognized and recently concluded Antigua Sailing Week – are reinforcing the strength of the nautical tourism offering. By optimizing core pillars such as air transportation, cruises and sailing, Antigua and Barbuda is positioning itself to maximize the opportunities offered by Marketplace while supporting growth across multiple visitor segments.
CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Forum will take place on May 12 from 9am to 12pm at Sandals Grande Antigua, immediately prior to the opening of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace.
It’s been 44 years since Marketplace has been connecting suppliers with global distribution partners. During two days of pre-planned meetings, suppliers come into direct contact with wholesalers, tour operators and travel advisors. This year the Direct Booking Summit also returns to Marketplace, scheduled for May 15. This event, also held in Sandals, will explore the latest digital marketing strategies, AI-driven solutions and technology trends, aimed at maximizing direct online bookings and improving the region’s digital competitiveness.
