The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace opens Tuesday in Antigua and Barbuda, featuring a restructured forum and new initiatives aimed at driving business and strengthening regional economic links.
The Caribbean Travel Forum, to be held at Sandals Grande Antigua, is evolving into a more targeted, commercially driven working session. It brings together a curated selection of industry stakeholders for structured, data-informed discussions on the priorities shaping Caribbean hospitality and tourism.
Buyers from a wide range of global markets will meet Wednesday and Thursday with suppliers at the American University of Antigua. Suppliers who arrive proactive, visible and ready to close deals will turn buyer interest into lasting relationships and signed contracts.
On Friday, the program returns to Sandals Grande Antigua for the Direct Booking Summit. Suppliers will learn cutting-edge tactics to increase direct reservations, reduce dependence on online travel agencies and maximize revenue from every guest interaction. Industry leaders already achieving strong results in direct bookings are expected to share proven strategies.
At Marketplace, there will be a Linkages Pavilion, a dedicated area featuring manufacturers, agro-processors and creative-industry businesses from across the Caribbean. The pavilion will highlight local producers whose goods and services hotels and tourism operators can source regionally, creating stronger connections between tourism and other economic sectors.
