Steel Pan Welcome Sets Tone for Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua and Barbuda

The lively sounds of steel pan music filled the arrival hall at V.C. Bird International Airport on Sunday as delegates arriving for Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 received a warm Antiguan and Barbudan welcome with cultural performances by the PMS Serenaders.

The cultural activation marked the beginning of activities leading up to one of the Caribbean’s largest tourism business events, which will run from May 12 to May 15, 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.

Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association and the Ministry of Tourism, the marketplace will bring together tourism suppliers, international wholesalers and travel buyers for a series of business meetings focused on promoting Caribbean travel.

Head of Communications in the Ministry of Tourism, Samoya Kirby, said the official opening will take place on May 12 at the AUA Conference Center and will feature several days of destination showcasing for regional and international buyers.

Kirby noted that delegates will be exposed to the best of Antigua and Barbuda through cultural presentations, entertainment, culinary experiences and networking events designed to highlight the country’s tourism product.

Organizers have also planned opening and closing celebrations at Cedar Valley Golf Course as part of the week-long activities, which coincide with the island’s Culinary Month observances.