Caribbean Travel Advisor
St Kitts to Host ASTA Caribbean Showcase in 2026
St. Kitts is set to welcome one of the travel industry’s premier gatherings next year. The island has been named the official host destination for the fifth ASTA Caribbean Showcase, taking place Aug. 23–27, 2026.
The announcement follows the Tourism Authority’s active participation at the 2025 Caribbean Showcase in Jamaica, where the team engaged with global travel professionals to strengthen St. Kitts’ positioning as a leading Caribbean destination.
Hosting the 2026 edition is a milestone moment for the island, underscoring its rising profile within the travel advisor community. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience St. Kitts’ authentic culture, lush landscapes, and vibrant local experiences firsthand — creating personal connections that often lead directly to future travel bookings.
“St. Kitts being selected as the host country for the 2026 ASTA Caribbean Showcase is a testament to the significant strides that the island has made in increasing its brand visibility,” said Kelly Fontenelle, Chief Executive Officer at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “Travel agents play a critical role in driving visitation, which is integral to our marketing strategy.”
Hon. Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, emphasized the power of relationships with the travel trade. “In St. Kitts, we prioritize the art of personal connections with our travel agents,” said Minister Henderson. “ASTA’s travel agents will benefit tremendously through fostering deeper connections with the island, which ensures that when they sell the destination to their clients, it is executed meaningfully.”
Zane Kerby, President and CEO of American Society of Travel Advisors, praised the partnership: “The Caribbean Showcase is a cornerstone of ASTA’s commitment to building meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships between advisors and the destinations they sell. We’re thrilled to bring this program to St. Kitts in 2026, where advisors will gain firsthand knowledge and inspiration to better serve their clients while supporting the region’s sustainable growth.”
With its focus on cultivating strong trade relationships and elevating its global visibility, St. Kitts continues to prove itself as a small island with a powerful tourism impact.
Full Webinar: A Deep Dive into the Island of St Kitts
The latest Caribbean Journal webinar was a deep dive into the island of St Kitts, one of the region’s hottest destinations right now.
The webinar, moderated by Caribbean Journal editor-in-chief Alexander Britell, included St Kitts experts Allison Schultz, Sales Representative – Southeast US at the St Kitts Tourism Authority: Cari Abonador-Alexander, Director of Sales, Luxury & Leisure at the Park Hyatt St Kitts; and Shariena Mills, Marketing Manager at the Marriott St Kitts resort.
You can watch the full CJ Webinar below:
St Kitts Webinar to Spotlight the Island’s Growing Appeal for Travelers
It’s the kind of island that pulls you in quietly — with golden sunsets, palm-lined beaches and a sense of timeless Caribbean charm. St. Kitts has long been a favorite for couples and travelers in search of something authentic, and now it’s stepping into the spotlight as one of the region’s most alluring destinations.
Caribbean Journal will host a special live webinar on Thursday, October 16 at 12:00 PM Eastern, highlighting why St. Kitts has become one of the Caribbean’s most exciting travel destinations.
Event Details
Title: St. Kitts Webinar
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM Eastern
Topic: Why St. Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s most exciting travel hotspots right now
You can register here at Zoom.
The virtual event will offer travel advisors, consumers and industry professionals an in-depth look at what’s driving St. Kitts’ momentum — from new developments and distinctive hospitality offerings to its unique blend of culture and natural beauty.
The webinar will be moderated by Caribbean Journal Editor-in-Chief Alexander Britell. He will be joined by Allison Schultz and Danielle Weekes from the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Shariena Mills from the St. Kitts Marriott and Cari Abonador-Alexander from the Park Hyatt St Kitts.
Together, they will provide insights, updates, and practical tips for promoting St. Kitts to travelers this fall and beyond.
“St. Kitts continues to capture the imagination of travelers looking for authentic Caribbean experiences with a refined edge,” said Alexander Britell. “This webinar is a great opportunity for advisors to learn more about what sets the island apart and how to tap into growing demand.”
The webinar is free to attend, and participants will have the opportunity to ask questions live during the session.
St. Kitts Strengthens Global Travel Trade Ties at ASTA Caribbean Showcase
With more than 300 travel professionals in attendance, St. Kitts amplified its presence in the global travel community at the fourth annual American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Caribbean Showcase, held in Jamaica from Aug. 23–27, 2025.
ASTA, the world’s leading travel association, continues to provide a high-profile platform for the Caribbean at a time when the region is expanding its position as one of the world’s premier destinations. Hosting prestigious gatherings such as the ASTA Showcase has become an important driver of visibility and influence for destinations across the region.
For travel advisors, the four-day event delivered direct access to tourism leaders and discussions around key issues shaping the market. Airlift, sustainability, experiential travel, and the wider economic impact of tourism were all central themes.
Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism for St. Kitts, joined fellow Caribbean tourism ministers in a panel discussion that underscored the opportunities for regional cooperation.
“The Caribbean is ideal for experiential travel; each island offers unique charm and cultural richness. It is important that we collectively promote our region. Our proximity presents an opportunity to foster intra-regional travel and encourage multi-destination experiences,” Henderson told attendees.
Beyond the conference sessions, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority participated in the ASTA trade show, connecting directly with travel advisors to promote the island, generate leads, and convert interest into bookings.
The Authority emphasized that trade partnerships and advisor engagement remain at the center of its marketing strategy, with brand awareness and consistent industry presence positioned as critical to growth. By strengthening ties with the global travel trade, St. Kitts continues to solidify its reputation as one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations.
Luxury Travelers Are Booking Bigger, Earlier — and Turning to Advisors More Than Ever
St. Kitts Tourism Authority Joins Virtuoso Travel Week for the First Time
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority made its debut at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, capitalizing on its growing partnership with the leading global network for luxury and experiential travel.
The high-profile event drew top travel professionals from more than 100 countries, providing St. Kitts with a valuable stage to showcase its unique offerings. Over the course of four days, the Tourism Authority held 100 one-on-one sessions, strengthening relationships with influential industry leaders and reinforcing the island’s position as a destination for discerning travelers.
St. Kitts CEO Kelly Fontenelle represented the island on the first-ever Caribbean Leadership Panel, a milestone moment that elevated the destination’s profile within the luxury travel market.
The move is part of St Kitts’ significant push to deepen its engagement with the travel advisor community, led by Fontenelle.
“Virtuoso Travel Week provides another avenue for St. Kitts to showcase the authentic charm and rich cultural offerings that make the island a standout destination in the Caribbean,” Fontenelle said.
Alongside Fontenelle, Danielle Weekes, Business Development Manager, and Chimarie Morillo, Midwest Sales Representative for the U.S., engaged in one-on-one sessions with top travel professionals.
“Our participation at Virtuoso Week aligns with our strategic efforts to further tap into the luxury market and increase visitor arrivals to the island,” Weekes noted.
Beyond the scheduled sessions, St. Kitts hosted a private “Virtuoso Travel Week St. Kitts Suite” gathering. Attendees included representatives from American Airlines, British Airways, Classic Vacations, Delta Vacations, and Virtuoso Preferred travel advisors, as well as local partners like Park Hyatt St. Kitts and Paradise Beach Hotel.
The exclusive event offered a targeted platform to deepen relationships with key stakeholders and further highlight the island’s luxury travel appeal.
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Curaçao Expands South American Reach With Travel Advisor Roadshow
Curaçao is setting its sights firmly on South America.
The Curaçao Tourist Board has successfully concluded its latest regional outreach effort — the “¡Solo Faltas Tú, Curaçao 2025!” roadshow — bringing together hundreds of travel advisors and wholesalers across Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina.
The multi-city campaign, organized in collaboration with more than a dozen hotels, tour operators, and destination partners, aimed to deepen awareness of Curaçao’s appeal and drive bookings from key Southern Cone markets.
The roadshow kicked off in Santiago, Chile, with a breakfast session designed to highlight the island’s tourism offerings. Montevideo, Uruguay followed, bringing the total number of Chilean and Uruguayan participants to 78. But the most ambitious leg unfolded across Argentina, where the team made stops in Mendoza, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Rosario, Villa Maria, and Córdoba — drawing a total of 349 travel professionals.
In all, 427 travel advisors and wholesalers participated in the events, which featured destination presentations, hotel showcases, and promotional briefings. A number of tour operators and resorts also unveiled exclusive South America-facing packages and incentives during the roadshow.
Participating Curaçao partners included:
Sandals Royal Curaçao, Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Dreams Curaçao Resort, Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa, Kura Botanica Hotel, Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, The Freedom Hotel, Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, Livingstone Jan Thiel Beach Resort, Fiesta Tours, Irie Tours, BC Car Rental, Rumba Tours, Harbor Hotel & Casino, Sea Aquarium Curaçao, and more. Airline partners Copa Airlines and Avianca also supported the effort.
The Curaçao Tourist Board emphasized that the advisors and wholesalers who took part now have the tools and knowledge to confidently promote the destination across their respective markets — a key step in strengthening Curaçao’s visibility in Latin America as 2025 approaches.
“Our goal is to create long-term relationships and ensure that Curaçao is top of mind when South American travelers are planning their next Caribbean vacation,” the Tourist Board said in a statement.