Caribbean Travel Marketplace lands in Antigua and Barbuda
The 43rd annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM), organised by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), launched this year in Antigua and Barbuda.
It marked the first time the premier regional tourism event has been hosted by the twin-island nation.
Running from May 18 to 22 the event brings together international media, global buyers and Caribbean suppliers to foster new business partnerships and highlight the region’s travel offerings.
The programme kicked off on Sunday, with a beach brunch hosted by Elite Resorts at the Verandah Hotel for networking among industry stakeholders. The following day, the Caribbean Travel Forum was held at Sandals Grande Antigua, where public and private sector leaders convened to discuss the current tourism landscape.
Data presented at the forum revealed that the Caribbean is enjoying a successful 2025 so far, with growth in visitor spend and arrivals overall. The region it would appear has benefited from the general downturn in international arrivals into the US in recent months and continues to benefit from strong demand from other markets, especially Latin America.
Despite this positive momentum, familiar challenges persist, particularly regarding airlift capacity and intra-Caribbean air transport connectivity. These issues remain critical barriers to fully unlocking the region’s tourism potential. They were key topics of discussion during the forum.
CTM 2025 also featured a new programme element designed to support the industry’s evolution. Responsible Tourism Day on May 18 highlighted sustainable tourism initiatives and community engagement. A subject that was debated at length in the post lunch session of the forum and attended by the host nation’s Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez.
The event will culminate with the launch of the Direct Booking Summit on May 22, focusing on digital marketing innovations and AI-driven strategies to enhance direct online bookings and improve the Caribbean’s digital competitiveness which has, in the past, been criticised.
A new feature of this year’s Marketplace is the Linkages Showcase, aimed at strengthening economic ties between tourism and other sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative industries.
This initiative seeks to broaden the multiplier effect of tourism as an economic engine across the Caribbean. It aims to facilitate business connections and showcase regional products to hospitality buyers.
The event’s success in Antigua and Barbuda will be measured by not only showcasing the destination’s unique appeal but by also reinforcing the importance of regional unity and strategic partnerships.
This is a perennial issue that has faced Caribbean tourism since day one.
Related News Stories: Caribbean Travel Marketplace lands in Antigua and Barbuda Sabre expands NDC reach with Air France and KLM Advantage Travel unveils rebrand, new website Mexico cruise tax slashed after cruise line backlash Antigua & Barbuda...Your Space in the Sun - TravelMole Southwest Airlines makes another change likely to annoy passengers American Airlines adds 30th Mexico destination TravelMole Tanja Scheuerer Radisson Blu Mirage Resort, Fiji Naisoso Island
Learn more about : Antigua & Barbuda…Your Space in the Sun ( N. America ) Antigua & Barbuda…Your Space in the Sun ( Asia Pecific ) Antigua & Barbuda…Your Space in the Sun ( United Kingdom )
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt