By Marketplace Excellence
BARBADOS — The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which took place in Barbados May 9-12, 2023, surpassed all expectations, leaving participants inspired and invigorated.
Setting the dynamic, positive tone of the event was Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who delivered a powerful keynote speech at the opening of the second annual Caribbean Travel Forum.
Her eloquent call to Caribbean stakeholders to be “shapers” rather than “takers” resonated deeply, emphasizing the need to develop the tourism product for the benefit of the region and its people.
The Prime Minister’s remarks shed light on the need for a paradigm shift in the Caribbean tourism industry. She advocated for a recalibration of the sector to reduce foreign dependency and foster economic empowerment for Caribbean citizens. By utilizing the region’s savings and actively involving its people, the services sector — particularly tourism — can continue to be a driving force for further improvements in the quality of life in the Caribbean and other small island developing states worldwide.
The collaborative work of the CHTA team, along with the hosts from Barbados, particularly Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, paid dividends. Working tirelessly and dedicating long hours, they ensured the success of the 41st Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the first-ever held in Barbados.
Their efforts did not go unnoticed, as Marketplace received glowing reviews, with many proclaiming it to be the best one to date.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley chats with Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett after her keynote presentation in Barbados last week. Looking on from left are Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados; Haydn Hughes, Minister of Tourism, Anguilla; Nicola Madden-Greig, President, CHTA; and Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Antigua and Barbuda.