The sounds of steel pan music greeted arriving delegates at V.C. Bird International Airport on Sunday, setting a festive tone ahead of Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026. The PMS Serenaders performed in the arrival hall, offering visitors their first taste of Antiguan and Barbudan culture.
The cultural welcome marks the opening of activities leading up to one of the Caribbean's largest tourism business events, scheduled to run from May 12 to 15, 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is hosting the marketplace in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association and the Ministry of Tourism. The event will bring together tourism suppliers, international wholesalers and travel buyers for a series of business meetings aimed at promoting Caribbean travel.
The Ministry of Tourism's Head of Communications, Samoya Kirby, confirmed that the official opening will take place on May 12 at the AUA Conference Center, with several days of destination showcasing for regional and international buyers to follow.
Kirby noted that delegates will experience the best of Antigua and Barbuda through cultural presentations, entertainment, culinary experiences and networking events, all designed to highlight the country's tourism offerings.
Organizers have planned opening and closing celebrations at Cedar Valley Golf Course as part of the week-long programme. The event also coincides with the island's Culinary Month observances.
