By Aabigayle McIntosh

Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez has welcomed the announcement that Antigua and Barbuda will host the 43rd Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) from May 18th to 22nd next year.

 The event is expected to attract significant global buyers and regional suppliers, further cementing Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation as a key player in Caribbean hospitality and tourism.

“It’s exciting,” Fernandez stated. “We discussed this with representatives during the SIDS conference in Antigua, where they were impressed with the level of organization, which helped put us on the map.”

The Minister emphasized that the CTM presents an ideal opportunity to showcase the twin-island nation to key industry players. “We expect around 15,000 people to attend,” he said, noting that the event will also provide a boost to visitor arrivals during that period.

Fernandez highlighted that Antigua and Barbuda has experienced a 16% increase in arrivals over 2023, and an 11% increase compared to 2019, which was a record year for the country.

“We have exceeded our targets every month since 2019, and we are delighted. This is a great opportunity to showcase Antigua and its people,” he added.