40th Caribbean Travel Marketplace exceeds expectations

17-07-22

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) reports that registration for the 40th edition of Caribbean Travel Marketplace is exceeding expectations as regional and global suppliers prepare for a return-person business development activities in the Caribbean this fall.

Scheduled for San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 3-5 this year, Caribbean Travel Marketplace president Karen Whitt reported that systems are "gearing up beautifully" for the upcoming meeting, reflecting the growing demand from travellers to visit Caribbean destinations. 

"The Caribbean remains one of the most desirable destinations in the world and we look forward to the convergence of buyers and sellers of Caribbean tourism to advance the region's recovery," she said.

ForwardKeys, CHTA's data partner, recently reported that the Caribbean and Latin America lead the summer outlook in terms of leisure travel returns, and noted that five destinations (Aruba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico and The Bahamas) are among the "most resilient" based on confirmed summer arrivals.

Whitt, who is vice president of sales and marketing for Hartling Group in Turks and Caicos, reported that as CHTA prepares for the spectacular showcase of the region's offerings, buyers from 14 countries and suppliers from 21 countries and territories have confirmed their participation to date. 

"We have focused on attracting buyers from new locations and they are excited to attend an event where the entire Caribbean will be in one place," said Whitt, who explained that buyers from MICE [Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions] and Destination Wedding Experiences have also confirmed their participation.

 Conference attendees will meet with buyers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.

So far suppliers have registered from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States and the US Virgin Islands.

Whitt shared that CHTA is already in the planning phase for the 2023 edition of Marketplace, which is expected to be held in the second quarter or later, and stated that the distinctive buzz the trade association is witnessing this year is no doubt due to the pending. increase in demand for face-to-face in-person interaction between buyers and sellers and consumer demand for travel experiences after two years of pandemic-related isolation and blockages.