{"id":234803,"date":"2025-04-28T15:19:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=234803"},"modified":"2025-04-28T15:25:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T19:25:34","slug":"forum-to-kickstart-the-43rd-annual-caribbean-travel-marketplace-in-antigua-and-barbuda-this-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/forum-to-kickstart-the-43rd-annual-caribbean-travel-marketplace-in-antigua-and-barbuda-this-may\/","title":{"rendered":"Forum to kickstart the 43rd Annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua and Barbuda this May"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT\u2019S APP GROUP<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>

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CARIBBEAN HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION (CHTA) UNVEILS KEY TOPICS FOR CARIBBEAN TRAVEL FORUM 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forum to kickstart the 43<\/strong><\/em>rd<\/em><\/strong><\/sup>\u00a0Annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua and Barbuda this May<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

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The\u00a0Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA)<\/a>\u00a0has announced the key topics for its\u00a0Caribbean Travel Forum<\/strong><\/a>, taking place on\u00a0May 19, 2025<\/strong>, prior to the official start of the\u00a0Caribbean Travel Marketplace<\/a>\u00a0in Antigua.<\/p>

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Bringing together public and private sector leaders, the Caribbean Travel Forum will address the region\u2019s most pressing tourism challenges and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the hospitality and tourism landscape evolves, the Caribbean Travel Forum continues to serve as a vital space for actionable dialogue between tourism leaders across the region,\u201d said CHTA <\/a><\/strong>CEO Vanessa Ledesma. <\/p>

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\u201cThe topics we\u2019ll explore this year are both timely and foundational \u2014 addressing critical areas such as intra-regional airlift, economic linkages, and strategic growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0We invite our partners and stakeholders to join us in advancing meaningful dialogue that will guide the sector\u2019s next chapter.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

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Key Discussion Topics will include:<\/p>

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Caribbean Travel Trends: Data-Driven Insights for 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenter: Olivier Ponti, Director \u2013 Intelligence & Marketing, ForwardKeys<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This session will unpack the latest data shaping Caribbean tourism \u2014 from shifting traveler sentiment and performance indicators to emerging global trends.  It will offer strategic insights that will frame the day\u2019s discussions and spotlight the opportunities and risks ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geopolitical & Economic Disruptions: Global Instability\u2019s Impact on Caribbean Tourism <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenter: Zeek Coleman, Vice President, Americas, Tourism Economics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From rising global instability to supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures, tourism in the Caribbean doesn\u2019t exist in a vacuum.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This keynote will offer global insight tailored for a Caribbean context, helping industry leaders and stakeholders prepare for volatility and explore where new opportunities might emerge in the face of global change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Policy & Advocacy Priorities: What the Industry Must Tackle Now<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenter: James Hepple, Managing Director, Tourism Analytics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism thrives when policies and priorities are aligned with the industry’s evolving needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This session will explore the top concerns identified through regional stakeholder feedback and use them to shape a shared advocacy agenda.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will provide an opportunity to spotlight where industry and government must work together to support sustainable growth, resilience, and competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fixing Intra-Caribbean Airlift: Breaking the Cycle of Failure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reliable and efficient air connectivity is essential for unlocking the full potential of Caribbean tourism<\/a><\/strong>, trade, and collaboration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This session will bring together aviation, tourism, and government leaders to explore innovative strategies for improving regional airlift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, they will examine emerging models, identify collaborative opportunities, and discuss the policy and investment approaches needed to enhance mobility across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism Linkages that Work: Getting Dollars into Local Pockets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This session will explore ways to ensure tourism benefits extend beyond accommodations and into local communities. It will explore the tangible ways to connect tourism demand with local supply \u2014 whether through agriculture, manufacturing, or cultural experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable Tourism in the Caribbean: Charting a Resilient Future<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panel hosted by Charles Henry Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Investment & Economic Development – Antigua & Barbuda<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panel will explore major regional strategies and spotlight innovative actions being taken across the Caribbean with Antigua and Barbuda featured as a case study to include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n