The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is gearing up to welcome 500 global tourism stakeholders for the 44th annual Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace, a landmark industry gathering set to run from May 12 to 15, 2026 at the American University of Antigua’s purpose-built conference facility.
This repeat hosting marks the second year in a row Antigua and Barbuda has been selected to welcome the event, a clear vote of confidence that cements the nation’s standing as a leading Caribbean tourism hub and boosts its growing reputation as a top-tier destination for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment of Antigua and Barbuda, emphasized that CHTA’s decision to bring the Caribbean Travel Marketplace back to the country speaks to the industry-wide trust in the nation’s ability to deliver a premium, high-caliber event. He added that the repeat hosting further solidifies Antigua and Barbuda’s position as a go-to destination for large-scale conferences and major global tourism gatherings.
Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, highlighted the unique strategic importance of this 2026 international gathering for the nation, noting that event organizers are leaving no detail overlooked to replicate and build on the resounding success of the 2025 Marketplace. As the host nation, Antigua and Barbuda has rolled out a coordinated cross-sector collaboration led by three key bodies: the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, and the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA).
Beyond core industry business sessions, the 2026 event will introduce a dedicated Responsible Tourism Day on May 14. This special track will give attending delegates a first-hand look at Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing sustainable tourism development and local environmental conservation initiatives, bringing the region’s sustainability commitments to life for global industry leaders.
Another fan-favorite feature returning to the 2026 Marketplace is the Direct Booking Summit, scheduled for the final day of the event, May 15. The summit will gather C-suite and senior leaders from across the global tourism space to share actionable insights into shifting industry trends and the disruptive innovations that are driving modern tourism growth, with a specific focus on stakeholders across Antigua and Barbuda and the broader Caribbean region.
The event is already drawing widespread interest from major media outlets across all of Antigua and Barbuda’s key source markets, a dynamic that will significantly boost the destination’s global visibility and brand recognition ahead of and during the gathering. Conveniently, the 2026 Caribbean Travel Marketplace also aligns with Antigua and Barbuda’s annual Culinary Month, giving attending business delegates the chance to experience the nation’s rich, vibrant local food culture alongside their industry networking and business activities.
For full event details and registration information, interested parties can visit the official Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 event homepage managed by CHTA.