FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 4, 2024) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced that Antigua and Barbuda will host the 43rd Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) from May 18-22, 2025. This milestone event will bring together major global buyers and regional suppliers, enhancing Antigua and Barbuda’s growing reputation as a key player in Caribbean hospitality and tourism.
The decision to select Antigua and Barbuda reflects the nation’s impressive growth in the tourism sector. “With a 16% increase in stay-over arrivals this year, surpassing even 2019’s record levels, our twin-island nation has become a focal point for international travel and investment,” said Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.
CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig expressed enthusiasm for hosting the association’s flagship event in Antigua and Barbuda: “Marketplace is undoubtedly the Caribbean’s largest and most influential marketing event. We are thrilled that Antigua and Barbuda will serve as the site for this crucial gathering, providing Caribbean suppliers and global buyers with access to a diverse array of travel products and experiences from across the region.”
Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, and Vanessa Ledesma, Acting CEO and Director General of CHTA, celebrate the announcement at CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in the Cayman Islands this week. At left is Sandra Joseph, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, while Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO Secretary-General and CEO is pictured at right.
Charles “Max” Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s infrastructure and accessibility: “With significant infrastructure developments, a robust airlift, and being a natural hub for the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda is easily accessible to travelers from all primary and secondary markets in The Americas, UK/Europe, and the Caribbean.”
Craig Marshall, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels & Tourism Association, emphasized the event’s economic impact: “Hosting this prestigious event positions Antigua and Barbuda at the heart of regional attention, bringing substantial economic benefits, media coverage, and business opportunities. It will showcase the unique charm, culture, and hospitality that make our islands a premier Caribbean destination.”
The 2025 edition of Marketplace will feature a dynamic program, including a Responsible Tourism Day to promote sustainable tourism practices, the Caribbean Travel Forum to address critical issues in regional tourism, and the return of the Caribbean MICE Exchange. A new addition to the program will focus on maximizing direct online bookings using cutting-edge digital marketing and AI technologies.
CTM will continue to offer one-on-one buyer-seller appointments, fostering valuable B2B connections that drive business growth in the region. The American University of Antigua (AUA) will serve as the main venue, providing a state-of-the-art facility that recently hosted the United Nations’ 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
For more information, visit chtamarketplace.com
