Barbados is once again preparing to host one of the largest gatherings of the Caribbean tourism industry.
The island was officially selected as the host venue. 45th edition of the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel MarketplaceThe event is scheduled for May 2027.
Widely recognized as the Caribbean’s premier tourism business event, this annual conference brings together travel agents, wholesalers, airlines, hotel executives, tourism boards, travel advisors and industry decision-makers from around the world for two days of pre-scheduled meetings and networking sessions focused on the Caribbean travel business.
This announcement was made during the closing ceremony. Antigua and Barbuda becomes the 44th Caribbean travel market Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-EdgehillHe currently serves as President of the Caribbean Tourism Board.
“The Caribbean Travel Marketplace remains the region’s premier tourism business event, bringing together international travel agents, wholesalers, airlines, hospitality leaders and key decision-makers from around the world,” Gooding-Edghill said in the announcement.
“Our selection is a strong vote of confidence in Barbados, its tourism product, its people, its infrastructure and its vision for the future of tourism in the Caribbean.”
Return to Barbados
Barbados last hosted the event in May 2023. At this time, tourism officials and hotel partners from across the island used the conference to showcase the destination’s hotels, culinary scene, attractions and tourism products to buyers and travel professionals in key source markets.
This edition brought hundreds of delegates, hotel representatives and tourism executives to the island while creating major visibility for Barbados across the local tourism industry.
The 2027 event is expected to once again place Barbados at the center of the Caribbean tourism conversation during the week of the event, with hotels, restaurants, transport providers and tourism stakeholders all expected to benefit from the influx of delegates and international partners.
“In 2027, the world will experience first-hand not only our warm hospitality, but also the depth of our culture, our strong partnerships and the bold future we are building together in tourism,” Gooding-Edghill said.
Key events for Caribbean tourism
The Caribbean Travel Marketplace has become one of the region’s tourism industry’s most important annual events, serving as a venue for hotels, destinations and tour companies to conduct thousands of business meetings with global buyers.
The conference is regularly attended by representatives from North America, Europe, Latin America and emerging international markets looking to expand their Caribbean travel businesses.
Barbados officials said they expect returning the event in 2027 to strengthen the island’s international standing while creating economic opportunities across multiple sectors of the tourism industry.
“The Caribbean Travel Marketplace will create economic opportunities across our tourism ecosystem, increase global visibility and provide an outstanding platform to showcase the best of Barbados,” Gooding-Edghill said.
He added that Barbados plans to work closely with the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association to create a conference that will help strengthen relationships with traditional and emerging travel markets.
“In 2027, Barbados will not simply host the Caribbean, but will work with CHTA to deliver markets that will create new opportunities for growth and reposition the region to leverage new and existing relationships with buyers and key partners in traditional and emerging source markets to set the stage for the future of Caribbean tourism,” he said.
Tourism leaders join Barbados delegation
The Barbados delegation to this year’s Antigua Marketplace included several senior tourism officials and private sector leaders.
Among them was the Deputy Minister of Tourism. Francine BlackmanPresident, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association bookbin griffithCEO, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association ryan fordBarbados Tourism Marketing Inc. CEO Andrea Franklin.
Gooding-Edghill also thanked Barbados tourism partners and industry stakeholders for their support during the selection process, saying their contributions helped the island successfully host the conference.
The Minister also praised the Minister of Tourism of Antigua and Barbuda. Charles “Max” Fernandez Event organizer of the 43rd and 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace.
Why it matters to Barbados
Hosting a Caribbean travel marketplace provides immediate tourism spending to your destination while creating long-term marketing exposure for hotels and tourism businesses across the islands.
During the conference, delegates typically participate in hotel tours, destination experiences, restaurant visits and networking events throughout the host country.
This gives Barbados another key platform to expand its airborne network to travel professionals who showcase its luxury resorts, boutique hotels, culinary offerings, beaches and rum experiences and have a direct impact on Caribbean holiday bookings.
By May 2027, Barbados is expected to have several new and upgraded tourism projects operating across the island, adding more listings and experiences for buyers and travel advisors to evaluate during their meetings.
Tourism officials are already encouraging partners across the region to begin planning events.
Whether you’re visiting Barbados for the first time or on a round trip from a longtime Caribbean travel expert, the island is poised to once again establish itself as a hub for regional tourism in 2027.
