Saturday, May 24, 2025
Caribbean tourism leaders recently gathered at the Antigua forum to collaboratively design a resilient and innovative future for the region’s travel industry, recognizing that adapting to shifting market dynamics, economic uncertainties, and infrastructure challenges is essential to sustaining growth. By focusing on diversification of source markets, improving intra-regional connectivity, and advancing sustainable development, the Caribbean aims to strengthen its global competitiveness and ensure tourism continues to drive inclusive economic prosperity across its diverse island nations.
Caribbean Tourism Leaders Convene at Antigua Forum to Chart a Resilient and Innovative Path Forward
Earlier this week, industry experts and regional tourism leaders gathered at the luxurious Sandals Grande Antigua for the Caribbean Travel Forum, hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). This pivotal event focused on driving resilience, inclusivity, and innovation within Caribbean tourism amid evolving global challenges. Through a series of insightful presentations and panel discussions, participants explored emerging travel trends, economic uncertainties, critical infrastructure needs, and sustainability initiatives—all aimed at positioning the Caribbean for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive global market.
Shifting Travel Patterns Signal Growth with New Dynamics
The Forum commenced with Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence and Marketing at ForwardKeys, unveiling the latest Caribbean Travel Trends report. This comprehensive analysis shed light on shifting traveler behavior and emerging source markets poised to reshape the region’s tourism landscape. Ponti highlighted that although the Caribbean’s visitor numbers are forecasted to increase in 2025, the growth rate has decelerated compared to previous years. Larger destinations within the region are capturing a bigger slice of the market, intensifying competition among islands.
Ponti emphasized the strategic importance of diversifying visitor origins beyond the traditional U.S. market. Strong travel interest is emerging from countries including Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Spain. Notably, the rise of digital nomads, affluent family travelers, and event-driven tourism—such as cricket tournaments and major concerts—present promising avenues for expanding the Caribbean’s appeal. These segments reflect evolving traveler preferences seeking unique experiences coupled with comfort and convenience.
Economic Volatility Presents Both Challenges and Opportunities
Zeek Coleman, Vice President at Tourism Economics, provided a sobering assessment of the global economic backdrop influencing tourism demand. Despite low unemployment rates and easing inflation, consumer confidence remains fragile amid geopolitical tensions and looming trade conflicts. This economic uncertainty may temper travel spending, particularly affecting group and business travel segments.
Nonetheless, Coleman pointed out a potential advantage for Caribbean destinations as U.S. travelers may prioritize nearby getaways amid recession fears. The region’s proximity and established reputation for sun, sand, and culture could prove pivotal in attracting leisure travelers seeking accessible yet enriching vacations. However, the volatile environment requires tourism stakeholders to remain agile and prepared for rapid shifts in market dynamics.
Experience-Driven Travel and Increased Visitor Spending
Carl Gordon, Director of Government and Strategic Growth for the English Caribbean at Mastercard, shared key insights from the recently published Global Travel Trends 2025 report. Gordon revealed that Caribbean visitors are not only staying longer but are also spending more during their trips. This trend is largely driven by the region’s core strengths: its warm, welcoming people and pristine beaches.
Furthermore, growing interest in wellness tourism, nature-based experiences, culinary exploration, and cultural immersion are reshaping traveler priorities. The Caribbean’s ability to leverage these assets positions it well to capture the evolving preferences of experience-seeking tourists. Gordon noted that this shift toward high-value travel is a crucial opportunity for regional stakeholders aiming to enhance revenue and deepen visitor engagement.
Industry Priorities: Airlift, Workforce, and Rising Costs
James Hepple of Tourism Analytics presented initial findings from a recent survey conducted among National Hotel and Tourism Associations across the Caribbean. The survey identified three critical issues confronting the industry: inadequate airlift and airport infrastructure, workforce development challenges, and rising operational expenses. These concerns top the agenda for tourism leaders as they strive to build a more sustainable and competitive sector.
Additional pressing topics include the regulation of short-term rental accommodations, implementation of digital immigration platforms, and policies surrounding cruise ship taxation. These insights form the foundation of CHTA’s forthcoming Advocacy Repository—a strategic knowledge base set to guide coordinated policy efforts across the Caribbean.
Transforming Intra-Caribbean Air Connectivity for Regional Growth
One of the most urgent challenges facing the Caribbean remains improving intra-regional air connectivity. CHTA President Sanovnik Destang spearheaded a high-level panel addressing this issue, joined by tourism authorities and airline experts including Valerie Damaseau from Saint-Martin, Mario Reyes, a former airline executive, and Claudio Buncamper, Chief Commercial Officer of Sunrise Airways.
The panel delivered a compelling call to action: without reliable, efficient, and affordable airlift linking Caribbean islands, the region’s tourism potential and economic integration will remain constrained. Panelists proposed bold reforms such as redesigning the region’s airspace into a unified zone, reducing aviation taxes, optimizing aircraft deployment strategies, and revising visa policies that inhibit free movement between islands.
They emphasized that resolving airlift challenges is more than a logistical concern; it is a strategic imperative critical to unlocking the Caribbean’s full economic and tourism potential.
Strengthening Local Economies Through Tourism Linkages
The Forum also explored how tourism can catalyze broader economic benefits by fostering stronger connections with local agriculture, manufacturing, and creative industries. CHTA Immediate Past President Nicola Madden-Greig highlighted the importance of ensuring that tourism dollars circulate within local communities.
Panelists Aswad Morgan from the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and Winston Anderson of Sandals Resorts shared successful case studies illustrating how cross-sector partnerships create jobs, support local producers, and enhance visitor experiences. These collaborative efforts reinforce tourism’s role as a cornerstone of inclusive regional economic development.
Sustainability as a Cornerstone for the Caribbean’s Future
The final session, hosted by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Charles Fernandez, showcased the region’s pioneering strides in sustainable tourism. The panel included environmental leaders such as Ambassador Diann Black-Layne, marine ecologist Ruleo Camacho, and conservation coordinators dedicated to protecting fragile ecosystems.
Highlights included Barbuda’s community-driven eco-development projects, the remarkable ecological restoration of Redonda into a flourishing nature reserve, and Antigua and Barbuda’s cutting-edge coral reef restoration initiatives. These programs not only enhance biodiversity and climate resilience but also demonstrate how environmental stewardship can coexist with thriving tourism economies.
The collective message was clear: sustainable development is not optional but fundamental to the Caribbean’s long-term prosperity and global leadership in responsible tourism.
Caribbean tourism leaders convened in Antigua to build a resilient and innovative future, addressing critical challenges like airlift, economic uncertainty, and sustainability to secure lasting regional growth. This collaboration is vital to adapting and thriving in a rapidly changing global travel landscape.
This forum underscored the Caribbean’s unwavering commitment to adapting and innovating in the face of global uncertainties. By embracing new traveler segments, addressing infrastructure bottlenecks, linking tourism to local economies, and championing sustainability, the region is positioning itself for a vibrant and inclusive tourism future.
