The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) 41st Caribbean Travel Marketplace is set to take place in Barbados over the next few days, and as someone who is deeply invested in the Caribbean tourism sector, I couldn’t be more excited to be “back home” for this event.

For many of us who work in Caribbean tourism, travel and hospitality, the past few years have been challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the industry, with travel restrictions, border closures, and reduced demand for travel leading to decreased revenues and job losses across the region.

The European Commission launched the 2024 edition of the European Capital of Smart Tourism, as well as the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism competitions; calling for cities to submit their leading examples of smart and sustainable tourism practices in Europe.

Tourism is the EU’s third largest socio-economic activity, representing around 10% of the EU’s GDP. The sector plays a crucial role in generating growth and jobs, but still holds untapped potential – especially in the area of smart and sustainable tourism. Innovation, accessibility, and sustainability are the future of tourism, and the European Commission aims to keep European tourism ahead of the curve.

As most travel restrictions connected to the COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted worldwide, commercial air traffic is set to soar to pre-pandemic levels on most routes in 2023, according to UN aviation agency.

So are the air fares. The price of air travel is set to soar this year too, spelling the end of low-cost travel as we know it.

Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed the announcement by low-cost Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways that it will expand its services to the Caribbean to include Jamaica this winter season. “This service is coming at an opportune time as we seek to diversify the options available to our visitors from the UK, which is our largest European market,” noted Minister Bartlett.

Guests staying in Sandals Royal Curacao‘s Kurason Island Suites and Awa Seaside Bungalows can explore the colourful island of Curacao in a stylish and sporty MINI Cooper as part of their vacation. Curacao is nestled in the heart of the Leeward Antilles on the coast of a tiny beautiful island where natural and cultural wonders connect to create a beautiful mélange unseen anywhere else. Sandals’ newest all-inclusive resort in Curacao is where the natural romance of this intimate island comes alive.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Jamaica is placing special focus on the world’s most populated country, India, as a nation to pull visitors from in coming years as part of a renewed campaign to diversify Jamaica’s tourist markets as he and his team pound the pavement at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates this week. Jamaica gets the bulk of its visitors from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.