Caribbean Tourism Forum 2025: Innovation and resilience for the future of regional tourism

The Caribbean Tourism Forum 2025, held in Antigua and Barbuda and organized by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), brought together tourism industry leaders, government officials, and economic and sustainability experts. The event addressed current and future challenges facing the industry, highlighting key trends, the impact of geopolitical and economic factors, and strategies to promote more sustainable and resilient tourism in the region.

Data and Direction for the Future
The forum began with a presentation by Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence and Marketing at ForwardKeys, who shared recent data on Caribbean travel trends for 2025. The analyses highlighted changing traveler perceptions and performance indicators, providing strategic guidance for addressing upcoming challenges.

For his part, Zeek Coleman, Vice President of the Americas at Tourism Economics, addressed the impact of global instability on Caribbean tourism, warning of the need to adapt to economic volatility and disruption of supply chains.

Mastercard's Carl Gordon presented the 2025 Global Travel Trends Report prepared by the Mastercard Economics Institute, highlighting relevant data for the Caribbean that will allow industry players to identify new opportunities.

Solutions to regional challenges
One of the main concerns addressed at the forum was air connectivity. During the panel moderated by Sanovnik Destang, aviation and tourism leaders discussed strategies to improve intra-Caribbean transportation, identifying collaborative models that will boost regional trade and tourism.

Another key aspect was strengthening local tourism links. The panel, led by Nicola Madden-Greig, explored how to link tourism demand with local supply, fostering economic development beyond the hotel industry.

Sustainable Tourism and Resilience
The Minister of Tourism of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Charles Fernandez, highlighted the progress made in sustainable tourism, especially community and environmental restoration projects in Barbuda and Redonda. These efforts include reef regeneration and the promotion of eco-conscious initiatives, positioning the country as a role model in the region.

Finally, the event concluded with a reflection on the next steps to be taken, promoting cross-sector collaboration to consolidate a stronger Caribbean tourism industry that is more adaptable to global changes.

Fuente: Caribbean Tourism Forum 2025