Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2024 Kicks Off in Jamaica

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) inaugurates the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2024 today, an event set to reimagine the region's tourism landscape.

Running until May 23, the event will host regional and international opinion leaders to discuss business opportunities and strategies for the Caribbean tourism industry. Attendees can expect invaluable insights from distinguished speakers, who will share their perspectives on navigating the evolving tourism sector.

Key topics on the agenda include:

• Air Connectivity: Emphasis on new low-cost carriers from existing and emerging markets.
• Multi-Destination Trips: Encouraging visitors to explore the diverse attractions across the Caribbean.
• Digital Solutions: Focusing on modern infrastructure and a highly trained, certified, and mobile workforce throughout the region.
• Authentic Product Offering: Leveraging the region's cultural heritage and natural assets, including sun, sea, sand, mountains, and rivers.

These discussions will also highlight the growing strength of Latin American markets within the Caribbean. In the first quarter of 2024, Latin American tourism to the Caribbean saw a positive trend, with Colombia increasing its visits by 20%, Brazil by 12%, Argentina by 9%, Chile by 7%, and Uruguay by 3%. Peru experienced a 13% decrease, but overall, there was a 10% increase in arrivals from Latin America.

CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig will deliver a comprehensive 'State of the Industry' address, sharing key data and insights from CHTA's recently launched annual performance and outlook survey.

Additionally, the CHTA will unveil its innovative “AI Transformation Guide for Tourism in the Caribbean.” This guide, authored by Christus Gill with AI support, represents a significant milestone as the first of its kind published by a regional hotel and tourism association. It builds on the World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC) foundational guide, “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology: A Guide for Travel and Tourism Leaders,” and offers a comprehensive resource tailored to the unique landscape of Caribbean tourism. The AI guide aims to highlight the benefits of AI adoption while addressing potential challenges and concerns, setting a new standard for technological integration in the region's tourism sector.