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Antigua and Barbuda Is Readying to Host the Caribbean’s Biggest Travel Conference 

By: Guy Britton - February 24, 2025

The Caribbean’s biggest travel conference is coming to Antigua and Barbuda this spring: the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which is holding its 43rd annual edition in the destination. 

The event brings together tourism suppliers with wholesalers from around the world for two days of business meetings. 

It also puts the spotlight on one of the fastest-growing destinations in the Caribbean, one that posted one of the highest growth rates of any island in the region last year. 

“This is an exciting time for us as we prepare to welcome you – our valued tourism partners from around the world, to Antigua and Barbuda,” said Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez. “We are extremely pleased to be showcasing the beauty and culture of our twin-island paradise, as the host country for the 43rd edition of CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace.”

This year’s event will have some new additions, including a Linkages Trade Show, a Responsible Tourism Day and, most notably, a Direct Booking Summit. 

“Caribbean Travel Marketplace, along with supplemental CHTA events this year, will serve as a catalyst for collaboration and new ideas, setting the stage for the future of Caribbean tourism,” said Sanovnik Destang, president of the CHTA. 

It’s the first time Antigua and Barbuda has ever hosted the event, and just the third time it has been hosted in the Eastern Caribbean. 

“This event fosters meaningful partnerships that drive business growth and economic success across the Caribbean, and we certainly look forward to welcoming you to our shores for a truly immersive and productive Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025,” Fernandez said. 

The event runs from May 18-22 at the new convention center at the American University of Antigua, which last year hosted the United Nations’ Small Island Developing States conference. 

The conference has a number of hotel options, with shuttles provided to and from the show. 

That includes hotels like the Admiral’s Inn in the heart of Nelson’s Dockyard (rooms from $245) to the Pineapple Beach Club (rooms from $300); the St James’s Club Antigua ($300 per night); The Verandah ($300 per night) and Jolly Beach Antigua, which has rooms for $200. 

What about flights? 

You can find fares that week from Miami to Antigua roundtrip for about $574 on American Airlines. 

From New York, you can find roundtrips to Antigua that week on American for $434 and on JetBlue for $474. 

You can find more information and register here. 

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