Weeks ahead of one of the Caribbean tourism sector’s most anticipated annual industry gatherings, newly installed State Tourism Minister Michael Freeland has launched on-the-ground preparations with an enthusiastic welcome for early arriving delegates at Antigua and Barbuda’s primary international gateway. On Sunday, May 10, Freeland joined a cohort of local tourism officials and industry stakeholders at Sir V.C. Bird International Airport to greet participants traveling in for the 2026 CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace, rolling out the warm, signature hospitality the twin-island nation is globally renowned for.
Among the first high-profile arrivals Freeland personally welcomed were Anguilla’s Tourism Minister Cardigan Connor and Chantelle Richardson, Anguilla’s Director of Tourism, marking the start of a week-long schedule of targeted business meetings, cross-stakeholder networking, and collaborative industry engagement focused on advancing Caribbean tourism. The event, organized annually by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, serves as a critical regional nexus that unites tourism product suppliers and qualified buyers from across the Caribbean basin and major global source markets. Beyond facilitating B2B transactions, the marketplace is designed to nurture long-term cross-border partnerships that fuel sustainable growth, innovation, and resilience for the regional tourism sector, which is the backbone of many Caribbean economies.
Antigua and Barbuda’s selection as the 2026 host nation carries meaningful industry significance, highlighting the destination’s rising profile as a leader in Caribbean tourism and demonstrating its proven capacity to host large-scale international industry events smoothly and successfully. Local organizing partners, including Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Tourism, the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, and a cross-section of public and private sector stakeholders, have been working for months to refine event plans. The team is focused on delivering a seamless, memorable marketplace experience that showcases Antigua and Barbuda’s top-tier tourism offerings, from its iconic white-sand beaches to its world-class hospitality infrastructure, while setting the stage for productive connections that benefit the entire region.