The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s (CHTA) 40th Caribbean Travel Marketplace got off to a roaring start in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday.
The spectacular opening, which took place at the Distrito T-Mobile entertainment and retail complex, followed the Caribbean Travel Forum & Awards Presentation at Caribe Hilton, where CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig delivered her “State of the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Address”.
Key takeaways included:
- The Caribbean has shifted from recovery to growth mode
- South America is a market to keep an eye on
- Affluent travelers are driving the growth
- Regional and multi-destination travel is a growth opportunity
- Responsible and sustainable policies must guide our growth
CHTA announced Jamaican Kevin Hendrickson as Caribbean Hotelier of the Year and bestowed awards and honors on tourism organizations and destinations for demonstrating quality, sustainability, profitability, and resilience during the pandemic.
More than 700 delegates have attended this year’s Marketplace, with representation from around 25 buyer countries. For the first time, new buyers from countries including Latvia, Poland, Mexico, and India participated in the experience.
The Marketplace floor was busy and energetic during today’s first day of appointments, and destination officials were busy sharing updates, including sneak previews of new brand campaigns, with local, regional, and international journalists.
A full house at yesterday’s Caribbean Travel Forum at Caribe Hilton
CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig drove solution-oriented discussions at yesterday’s forum.
Distinguished Jamaican hotelier and businessman Kevin Hendrickson was declared Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.
Puerto Rico delivered a cultural spectacular to welcome CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace delegates.
From left: CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi, and CEO of Discover Puerto Rico Brad Dean enjoy the celebration at Monday’s opening reception.
Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico (left), talks shop on the Marketplace trade floor with Bill Clegg, Regional Director of Best Western Hotels & Resorts.
Marketplace Excellence President & CEO Bevan Springer (right) and Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett talk tourism resilience while master videographer Cornell Young captures the conversation.
