ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – AS the world continues to grapple with the economic fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, regional tourism stakeholders are gathering in Antigua and Barbuda this week for the 44th Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace, where the issue is expected to be among the major talking points.
More than 500 delegates and media professionals from around the world are attending the event, with tourism officials in St. John’s using the opportunity to showcase Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product and hospitality offerings.
Speaking with SKNVibes News, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority representative Andy Liburd said the island is well prepared for the influx of tourism personnel and media, noting that this is the second consecutive year the event is being hosted in the twin-island nation.
Liburd explained that the marketplace presents an important opportunity for Antigua and Barbuda, and the wider Caribbean, to demonstrate resilience despite ongoing international challenges and rising travel costs.
“So this is an ideal opportunity for the industry to come together and explore further opportunities where individual countries can grow their business,” he said.
The Caribbean Marketplace serves as a major networking hub for hoteliers, travel partners, and other tourism stakeholders seeking to build connections, market their destinations, and create new business opportunities.
“And that is exactly the focus of Marketplace, to ensure that we can bring the global supply chains together here in one place,” Liburd added.
With the global economy feeling the effects of heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran — including rising fuel prices and increased airfare costs — concerns have been raised about the possible impact on the Caribbean tourism sector.
However, Liburd stressed that the region must continue increasing its visibility, noting that the demand for travel remains strong despite economic uncertainty.
“There's always going to be demand for persons to leave wherever they are because of the various pressures individually that they're encountering and find a safe place where they can enjoy a vacation,” he noted. “And so it's a matter of us all putting ourselves as the best option for those persons who want to travel. And I think we have an excellent, excellent, excellent opportunity to do so.”
He added that regional collaboration will be critical as Caribbean destinations compete in an increasingly challenging global market.
“And if as a Caribbean we can come together and show the rest of the world that this is the best place for you to take a break from everything that is happening, then we're on the right track. And especially in the marketplace, we can kind of get super, uber focused on exactly what we need to do in terms of maximising on the various technologies that are available to us.”
The 2026 CHTA Marketplace takes place from May 12-16.
