Antigua and Barbuda is set to take centre stage on the global tourism circuit as the Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) 2026 prepares to descend on the twin-island nation next year, according to Antigua News Room. International media outlets and travel industry leaders are expected to converge on the destination for what is widely regarded as the Caribbean's most important tourism trade event.
Now in its 44th edition, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace will be held in Antigua and Barbuda from May 12 to 15, 2026. Organised by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the event reaffirms the destination's standing as a premier hub for international tourism business and high-level industry networking.
Organisers expect the 2026 edition to attract hundreds of delegates, including representatives from major international media houses, tourism boards, airlines, hotel groups, and travel trade organisations. Their attendance is anticipated to significantly boost global visibility for Antigua and Barbuda throughout the event's duration.
The Marketplace operates as a structured business-to-business forum, built around pre-scheduled appointments between tourism suppliers and international buyers from key source markets including North America, Europe, and Latin America. The format allows participants to forge partnerships, negotiate deals, and strengthen distribution channels that directly influence travel flows to the Caribbean.
Antigua and Barbuda's selection as host is being viewed as a significant endorsement of the country's growing influence in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, as well as its expanding capacity to stage large-scale international events.
Tourism officials have welcomed the Marketplace's return, noting that it will generate immediate economic activity while delivering longer-term benefits through increased destination exposure, stronger industry relationships, and expanded tourism investment opportunities.
The 2026 programme will extend beyond business meetings to include destination showcases, industry briefings, and sessions focused on sustainability, airlift connectivity, and evolving global travel trends — areas expected to shape the future direction of Caribbean tourism.
With international media attention set to intensify during the event, Antigua and Barbuda is positioning itself to use the platform to showcase its tourism product, cultural offerings, and strategic role within the broader Caribbean travel industry. The Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 is shaping up to be both a major commercial gathering and a powerful global stage for the twin-island nation.
