TALKING TOURISM AT CARIBBEAN TRAVEL MARKETPLACE IN SAN JUAN
Industry Movers and Shakers at Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Puerto Rico
San Juan, Oct. 5, 2022: The largest gathering of Caribbean travel trade partners and key players, CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace was the shining star at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan. Destination representatives were on hand giving international media the inside scoop on what’s hot in the many countries that make up the Caribbean while conference delegates from across the region met with buyers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Poland, Puerto Rico, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. https://caribbeanhotelandtourism.com/
About Barbados
Peter Mayers, Director of Barbados Tourism Marketing, Canada; “By the end of 2022, Barbados will be almost at pre-pandemic levels. We should be 75% to 80% of the way to full economic recovery by the end of this year. The UK is our largest source market, US is our #2 market and Canada is our #3 market. What is huge for us is the return of COPA Airlines, KLM arriving in Nov. from Europe and Air Canada nonstop flights from Montreal taking off in Dec. www.visitbarbados.org/
About Turks and Caicos Islands
Stacy Cox, CEO, Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association; ” We are highlighting the hidden gems of Turks and Caicos which benefits both locals and tourists. We’re looking forward to the resumption of our Fish Fry in 2023 along with many of our events that will also resume in the new year.
Mary Lightbourne, Acting Director of Tourism: “We are a British Overseas Territory and according to TripAdvisor, home to the world’s best beach called Grace Bay Beach. Air service is available from 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada via eleven airlines. We are updating the airport terminal in Provo with improvements that should be complete next year. New properties coming on stream include Andaz, South Bank, The Strand and Rock House; an intimate hotel with 46 villas built directly into the limestone cliffs of Providenciales north shore, each with private pools, terraces and outdoor shower gardens. The chic, Amalfi Coast-inspired hotel also offers the largest infinity pool in Turks and Caicos, Beach Club and the Cave Bar, tucked right into the cliffside. https://turksandcaicostourism.com/
About Dominica
Kimberly King Destination Marketing Manager, Discover Dominica Authority ; ” We are a year round destination providing a balance with nature and more than 300 miles of hiking trails, hidden waterfalls and our annual events and festivals. We are in between Guadalupe and Martinique, American Airlines flies nonstop from Miami while other options include connecting in Barbados or St. Lucia. For music fans, World Creole Music Festival welcomes music fans back to the Nature Island for the 22nd staging of the biggest event of the season with 23 headline artistes from diverse musical genres including reggae, soca, afrobeat and kompa. Our Carnival is on the calendar for Feb. 2023 and in April next year, we present the Jazz and Creole Music Festival. www.DominicaFestivals.com .
About St. Lucia
Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire; Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Information; ” In July, we had the largest number of stayovers in one month since Covid began. Airlift has been incredible and is nearly back to our 2019 levels. One of our most rewarding developments is community tourism that showcases our local culture and people. We officially launch this program at the end of October by providing grants to locals to expand their ownership of tourism on the island. Lucian Links is another new program encouraging Saint Lucians abroad to visit the island. Kabawe Krawl is also new and focuses on our local cuisine, rum and distillers. For adventure travelers, we offer salt springs, hikes and climbing our mountains. www.stlucia.org/en/
About St. Kitts
Ellison Tommy Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, St. Kitts Tourism Authority: “Inviting visitors to the island, we launched a new brand campaign titled “Venture Deeper” that builds on the island’s distinct characteristics while introducing elements of introspective self-discovery and intention that speak to the purpose-driven goals of today’s travelers. We are contemplative, nostalgic, and soulful. We appeal to intrepid travelers eager to explore, learn, and immerse themselves fully in a new experience. We are also focussing on culinary travel and sustainability around four pillars: history, culture, environment and livelihoods. www.visitstkitts.com
