The 40th edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace came to a close in San Juan, Puerto Rico this evening.
A whirlwind of emotions was experienced by delegates over the course of the B2B gathering, many of whom connected with friends and colleagues for the first time in close to three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delegates shared lessons learned, discussed emerging trends, made deals, and planned for the future with a collective resolve to help position the Caribbean as the leading warm-weather region on the planet, while simultaneously promoting the respective offerings of hotels, resorts, villas, brands, destination management companies, attractions, marketing agencies, media products and the like.
Buyers were upbeat about their experience in San Juan and are now armed to prepare their clients for future visits to the region.
Already, plans are being discussed for the next edition of Marketplace, which could be held in Spring 2023.
One highlight of Wednesday’s meeting was the joint CHTA and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) alignment around Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett’s call to support the official designation of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day.
During last month’s United Nations General Assembly, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness made a call for the observation of a Global Tourism Resilience Day.
CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig, Acting CEO and Director General Vanessa Ledesma and Marketplace Chair Karen Whitt danced and pranced as business deals got under way during Tuesday’s trade floor action.
The Grenada delegation celebrated having won a Destination Resilience Award for innovation in preserving lives and livelihoods during the pandemic.
Marketplace Excellence’s President & CEO Bevan Springer (center) and Vice President Greta Andzenge (far left) with Team USVI’s Assistant Commissioner of Tourism Alani Henneman-Todman, Director of Sales Kay Milliner-Kitchens and Special Assistant Rosie Farrington.
Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Transport for the Cayman Islands, shared details of a new brand campaign with the media.
Writer Bob Curley is donating a portion of his book sales to Puerto Rico hurricane relief via the CHTA Education Foundation. He is sandwiched between CHTA’s Nicola Madden-Greig and Vanessa Ledesma.
The Barbados booth at Marketplace reflected an authentic Bajan vibe.
Likkle but tallawah. Jamaica always leaves a big impression.
