Richès Karayib met Geraine Georges, Public Relations Manager at the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, and Dexter Percil, Director of Global Marketing, at the 43ᵉ edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace held this year in Antigua. For these two strategic representatives of Saint Lucia tourism, the event is an opportunity to showcase the destination’s strengths, strengthen relations with their international partners, and also to launch their summer calendar and open their arms to the French-speaking Caribbean.
A strategic presence for Saint Lucia
For Geraine Georges, participating in the CHTA Marketplace is essential for promote the Saint Lucia brand and to maintain ties with existing partners while forging new ones.
“This event allows us to ensure the continuity of our relationships, but also to position ourselves in the global tourism space.”
On his side, Dexter Percil, Global Marketing Director, stresses the importance of market intelligence data, trends and insights into travel behavior. These are all elements that will guide Saint Lucia’s destination strategy.
“CHTA also gives us the opportunity to position our accommodation offering, and above all, to launch our summer campaign. “
A strong delegation and an assertive summer campaign
Saint Lucia came out in force. More than 20 hotel partners were present: Bay Gardens, The Landings, Ladera, Sugar Beach, Ti Kaye, Coconut Bay, Jade Mountain… to name but a few. All with the logistical support from Sunrise Airways providing transfers from Saint Lucia.
This massive presence was also an opportunity to officially launch the “Summer Saint Lucia Style” campaign in Antigua. “Summer Saint Lucia Style a new marketing offensive for summer 2025.
Flagship events 2025: between local traditions and regional bridges
Saint Lucia relies on a strong attractive summer calendar articulated around three highlights:
🎭 Lucian Carnival – Saint Lucia Carnival
🗓️ 01 – July 23rd, 2025
🎯 Parade, Calypso, Panorama, private parties
📍 Castries and festive areas of the island
A mainstay of the Saint Lucian summer, the Lucian Carnival takes place over several weeks, culminating in a two-day parade. Musical ambience, flamboyant costumes, sound systems and calypso competitions transform the island into a Caribbean party capital.
“We invite the whole Caribbean, and Martinique in particular, to come and enjoy this unforgettable experience.”
🎶 Martinique in Gros Islet – Franco-Creole street party
🗓️ Last weekend of July to early August 2025
🎯 Guest DJs from Martinique (DJ Payo & co), local gastronomy
📍 Gros Islet Street Party, north of Saint Lucia
Original initiative launched in 2024, Martinique in Gros Islet is back again this year. The concept: invite DJs and artists from Martinique to perform in the legendary setting of Saint Lucian street parties.
“The idea is to strengthen ties between French and English-speaking cultures around music, rum and good food.”
🌴 Creole Heritage Month & other highlights
🗓️ From October 2025
🎯 Creole culture, heritage events
📍 All over the island
In addition to summer, Sainte Lucie is preparing rich cultural season in autumn including Creole Heritage Month, the arrival of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) and other events focusing on Creole crafts, language and traditions.
A clear opening to the French-speaking Caribbean
Dexter Percil puts it bluntly: Martinique is a priority. And the objective is clear: to welcome more French-speaking visitors to Saint Lucia by capitalizing on geographic proximity, short flights and intense programming.
“Come for a weekend, a carnival or a concert… We guarantee labis, conchs, and unparalleled hospitality.”
A festive invitation to Caribbean unity
Through the dynamic presence of Geraine Georges and Dexter Percil, Saint Lucia has a dual ambition: to strengthen its international business connections while strengthening its regional links. This is a region where culture, festivities and gastronomy unite. Culture, festivities and gastronomy serve as a link here.
Richès Karayib met Jules Sobion, aka Julius Caesar, founder and CEO of Caesar’s Army Limited, at the 43ᵉ edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Cultural entrepreneur and informal ambassador of the festival-caribbean-lifestyle, Jules Sobion looks back on the evolution of his company and its strategic positioning around festival-tourism, where celebration becomes a lever for enhancing the value of Caribbean territories.
From Trinidad to the cultural capitals of the world
Founded nearly 20 years ago in Trinidad and Tobago, Caesar’s Army first made a name for itself locally, before the region and beyond : Barbados, Jamaica, Miami, New York, London…
“When we had access to the Trinidad Carnival, we were able to export what we do best: immersion, energy, living culture.”
Today, Caesar’s Army is both an event label and an identity movement. It federates a community of Caribbean culture enthusiasts, always on the lookout for new experiences.
A pivot to experiential tourism
Participation in the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025 marks a new stage for Jules Sobion: the structuring of Caesar’s Army as an integrated cultural tourism operator.
“We don’t just want to make events. We want to create immersive weekends with flights, accommodation and cultural discovery of the destination.
This repositioning of Jules Sobion aims to anchor events in local communities by working in partnership with tourist offices and local players, and by offering all-in-one packages. More than just a show, each event becomes a territorial experience.
A 2025 calendar under the sign of the Caribbean and the diaspora
The calendar of events for Caesar’s Army in 2025 reflects a clear strategy: combining celebration, culture, diasporic mobility and territorial roots. Each event is conceived as an immersive experience that links the public to a destination and its Caribbean identity.
🌆 Bacchanal Blocko – Miami, USA
🗓️ Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
📍 Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Miami
🎯 Beach J’Ouvert” block party: paint, powder, water, DJs and daybreak soca, celebrated to mark Memorial Day Weekend.
Mai Tai Manhattan – New York, USA
🗓️ Sunday, June 22, 2025 : 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
📍 The Ainsworth Midtown, Manhattan
🎯 Urban cocktail party fusion: tropical mixology, soca, dancehall and afrobeats in a rooftop atmosphere for Caribbean diasporas.
Street X Food Festival – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
🗓️ Early July 2025
📍 Downtown Port of Spain
🎯 Gastronomic street festival: traditional food (doubles, roti, jerk), hip-hop culture, urban performances, artist booths. A tribute to Caribbean street culture.
Blocko – Saint Lucia
🗓️ Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.
📍 Beausejour Promenade, Castries
🎯 J’Ouvert de plage: immersive early-morning party, live music, colorful powders and festive seaside communion.
A.M.BUSH – Crop Over, Barbados
🗓️ Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 2 a.m.
📍 Confidential location, Barbados
🎯 Foreday Morning revisited: an event in the heart of nature with DJ sets, painting, mud and breakfast at dawn. A typically Caesar’s Army sensory trance.
IN.DE.PAINT.DANCE – Trinidad and Tobago
🗓️ Sunday, August 31, 2025 from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m.
📍 Port of Spain (location to be confirmed)
🎯 National celebration of independence: painting, patriotic music, dance, urban culture and community brunch. One of the movement’s most emblematic events.
“Every event is a gateway to a place, a community, a culture.” – Jules Sobion
An army to celebrate the Caribbean
With Caesar’s Army, Jules Sobion isn’t just selling admission tickets: he’s selling cultural passages. Each destination becomes a stopover in a larger narrative: that of a plural, mobile and festive Caribbean aware of its strength.
“The Caribbean Travel Marketplace is the ideal platform for connecting culture, tourism and territory. And we’re ready.” – Jules Sobion
Inter-island air connectivity today represents one of the greatest challenges to the development of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean region. Getting around between the islands of the Caribbean remains a complex task, despite the region’s considerable tourism potential. This is as true for international travelers as it is for local residents, for whom getting from one island to the next can be an obstacle course.
The current state of air connectivity in the Caribbean
The Caribbean airline industry has undergone profound upheaval in recent years. Historic players such as Air Antilles and LIAT have gone through major crises, with the latter even liquidated in June 2020. This situation has created a considerable gap in inter-island services, particularly felt between the region’s French-, English- and Spanish-speaking territories.
Air Caraïbes now operates a number of routes, notably between Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint-Martin, but the overall offer remains insufficient to meet demand. New initiatives are emerging, however, such as Air Adelphi, which recently inaugurated a regular service linking Martinique with Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, filling a gap left since 2019.
Structural barriers to inter-island connectivity
Several factors explain the difficulty of establishing a coherent air network in the Caribbean. Firstly, the political and linguistic fragmentation of the region, with territories under different jurisdictions (French departments, British territories, independent states), complicates the harmonization of aviation regulations.
Secondly, the modest size of island markets makes it difficult to make air routes profitable. This fragile economic reality, based essentially on tourism and turned towards the outside world rather than intra-regional trade, is a major obstacle to efficient inter-island air connectivity.
The economic challenges of inter-island air connectivity
Inter-island air connectivity plays a crucial role in the economic development of the Caribbean. Every direct flight between two islands represents an open door to new tourism and business opportunities. Improved connectivity would make it possible to capitalize on the specific characteristics of each territory, and promote the gastronomic and cultural riches specific to each island.
The potential economic impact is considerable: the air sector currently accounts for 3.6% of regional GDP, supports 8.3 million direct and indirect jobs and generates $240 billion. Improving inter-island air connectivity could significantly boost these figures by facilitating the movement of tourists and professionals throughout the region.
The untapped potential of multi-destination tourism
One of the great untapped potentials of the Caribbean lies in multi-destination tourism. At present, most visitors limit their stay to a single island, due to the lack of convenient and affordable air links between the territories. Yet the archipelago’s cultural, natural and historical diversity is a major asset that could be better exploited through multi-island tours.
Initiatives such as the CARIBSKY alliance, formerly grouping Air Antilles, Winair and LIAT, aimed to facilitate this type of tourism by offering a “one-way ticket to the Caribbean”. Although this specific project was compromised by the difficulties of the participating airlines, the idea remains relevant.
Towards sustainable aviation in the Caribbean
Faced with environmental challenges, Caribbean aviation is gradually making the transition to more sustainable practices. The region’s airlines have reduced their fuel consumption per passenger kilometer by 28% since 2011, thanks to fleet renewal and improved operational efficiency.
Initiatives such as Green Pilot® certification recognize the efforts of airlines developing robust carbon reduction programs in their operations. This transition to greener aviation is essential to ensure that improved inter-island air connectivity does not come at the expense of the fragile environment of the Caribbean islands.
The challenge of operating costs and profitability
One of the main obstacles to inter-island air connectivity remains the weakness of the business model. Regional airlines face high fixed costs (salaries, maintenance, airport taxes), which are not sensitive to passenger volume. Flight fares vary from 50 to 150 euros one way, which represents a a real obstacle for residents, especially in areas with low purchasing power.
A round trip between two islands can be equivalent to several days’ wages for a local worker. Conversely, some very short sea crossings are still affordable, costing around 8 to 15 euros. But these connections are limited. This situation makes intra-regional mobility difficult, and hinders the development of sustainable, multi-destination tourism in the Caribbean.
Initiatives and partnerships to improve regional connectivity
In the face of economic and logistical challenges, airline alliances are emerging as a promising solution. New collaborations are emerging, such as the partnership between Winair and Air Caraïbes, or the expansion of networks like InterCaribbean Airways. These initiatives aim to improve inter-island air connectivity by pooling resources.
Governments and regional organizations have a crucial role to play. The World Bank is contributing to this effort with projects such as the “Caribbean Regional Air Transport Connectivity Project”, which has awarded $159 million to several countries to enhance air transport safety and airport infrastructure resilience.
Future prospects for inter-island air connectivity
The future of inter-island air connectivity in the Caribbean will necessarily involve innovative solutions. Companies like Air Inter Îles are developing new premium shuttle services with aircraft adapted to short distances, such as the TECNAM P2012 STOL.
Digital technologies also offer interesting prospects, with integrated booking platforms making it easier to combine different flight segments between partner airlines.
Inter-island air connectivity represents both a major challenge and a tremendous opportunity for the development of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. The obstacles are many: political fragmentation, economic difficulties for airlines, high operating costs and environmental challenges.
The stakes are high: the aim is not only to facilitate travel for tourists and local residents, but also to create the conditions for more balanced, environmentally-friendly economic development throughout the region. By strengthening air links between the islands, a more inclusive and sustainable tourism model can emerge, enhancing the richness and diversity of each territory while promoting greater regional cohesion.
Richès Karayib met with Marva Williams, Managing Director of the Discover Dominica Authority and Director of Tourism, at the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025. Through her strategic and committed eyes, Marva Williams sets out the vision of a Dominica that is repositioning itself on the global tourism stage thanks to a skilful blend of sustainability, investment and vibrant culture.
Dominica, a natural island yet to be discovered
For Marva Williams, taking part in a show like the Caribbean Travel Marketplace is an indispensable lever for Dominica, a destination that is still relatively unknown on the international circuit.
“We’re an amazing island, sustainable, culturally rich… but yet to be discovered. To change that, we need to multiply our digital, traditional and trade show distribution channels.”
The objective is clear: to increase Dominique’s visibility with tour operators, travel agencies, specialized media and all the influencers who make travelers’ choices.
Air accessibility and strategic development
Beyond communication, Dominica is working on a structured structured air access planin two stages:
- On the one hand, the modernization of the existing airportalready enlarged and reinforced.
On the other, the construction of an international airport 40% complete, scheduled to open in 2027.
“We launched a flight with United Airlines in February. American Airlines also continues to play a key role. And we are actively working on direct connections with Europe, Canada and Latin America,” she adds.
These efforts are aimed at welcome more visitorsboost the local economy through community-based tourism, and consolidate Dominica as a model of sustainability in the Caribbean.
A cultural autumn to the rhythm of Creole
Dominica offers more than just unspoilt scenery. It also cultivates a intense cultural scenerooted in her Creole identity. Marva Williams highlights three key events between October and November 2025:
Dominica's World Creole Music Festival
📅 From October 24 to 26, 2025
📍 Windsor Park Stadium, Roseau
Celebrating its 25ᵉ editionthis festival is, according to Marva Williams, “the biggest cultural event in the Caribbean, if not the world”.
Three nights of concerts, a pan-Caribbean and international program, with a focus on bouyon music and new collaborations.
“This year, we’re inviting the public to stay two to three weeks on the island, to fully immerse themselves in our culture, our gastronomy, our nature.” – Marva Williams
Ti Vilaj Kweyol
📅 Late October, before the festival (generally between October 21 and 24)
📍 Roseau Botanical Gardens
Family event par excellence, Ti Vilaj Kweyol is an afternoon rendezvous with a folk festival feel. It brings together young and old to enjoy traditional cuisine, music and cultural dances.
“It’s also an opportunity to wear our national dress, to showcase our traditions in an atmosphere accessible to all.”
Creole Day
📅 Friday, October 24, 2025
📍 Downtown Roseau
Today marks the official launch of the festivalBut it’s also a time of strong cultural expression. The capital comes alive with the sounds and colors of Creole: parades, traditional performances, crafts and local cuisine.
“The Kalinago people, our indigenous communities, will also be in the spotlight,” Williams points out. “It will be a day to celebrate our heritage.”
An island ready to welcome, a vision supported by culture
In the words of Marva Williams, we’re talking about a coherent coherent tourism strategy to strengthen access, build a strong image, invest in living culture and promote sustainable tourism, rooted in local communities.
Dominica is not content to be “natural”: it is ambitious, structured and resolutely focused on tourism for the future, where every event, every project, every welcome is an invitation to rediscover the Caribbean in a different way.
Climate resilience: between urgency and action
The Caribbean lives to the rhythm of hurricanes, droughts, coastal erosion and endangered biodiversity. Faced with these threats, the islands are stepping up their efforts to build a local climate resilience. And while the challenges are immense, the solutions are often concrete, quantified and rooted in the local area.
At Richès Karayib with this in mind, we have selected five recent, verified and significant data points that provide a straightforward overview of ecology and sustainability in the region. These figures illustrate the reality of Caribbean climate resilience on a territorial scale.
1ʳᵉ - Dominica, a pioneer in climate resilience
Dominica didn’t just rebuild after the devastating passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017. It took a radical turn by officially pledging to become the first ” climate-resilient nation” in the world.
This green reconstruction program, piloted by the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica, includes reinforced infrastructure, rethought urban planning and integrated renewable energies. A pioneering initiative on a global scale, it makes Dominica a showcase for sustainable development.
93% - Exceptional forest cover in Suriname
With 93% of its territory covered by forests Suriname is one of the most forested countries on the planet. This impressive figure, confirmed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), places this small South American state – culturally and historically Caribbean – at the heart of global climate issues.
Its dense forest acts as a carbon sink essential for regulating the regional climate. Preserving this resource is therefore a vital issue, both for Suriname and for the entire Caribbean region. It is also a central pillar of the Caribbean climate resilience as a whole.
0.58 kg/day - The reality of waste in Haiti
Each Haitian produces an average of 0.58 kg of waste per day or more than 212 kg per year. This may not seem like much, but the problem lies in the collection rate, which has reached a ceiling of 12% only according to the World Bank.
As a result, a large proportion of this waste, often plastic, ends up in the streets, in rivers or on the coast. This situation weakens ecosystems, aggravates health risks and underscores the urgent need for action particularly in high-density areas. These issues are closely linked to the challenges of climate resilience in the Caribbean, particularly in an urban context.
10,000+ corals replanted around the Bahamas
Faced with the rapid degradation of coral reefs, the Bahamas National Trust launched the Reef Rescue program, which has over 10,000 coral reefs in the waters in the archipelago’s waters since 2019.
Reefs play a crucial role in coastal protection, marine biodiversity and the tourism economy. This program is one of the most dynamic in the Caribbean, mobilizing scientists, volunteer divers and local communities to restore these natural barriers weakened by global warming and ocean acidification. This is a concrete lever for Caribbean climate resilience on an ecological scale.
-38% - Alarming fish losses in the region
Between 1984 and 2017, the West Central Atlantic zone which includes the Lesser Antilles, recorded a 38% drop in fish catches according to the FAO and WECAFC.
This dramatic fall is the combined result of overfishing and marine pollution and warming waters. It poses a direct threat to food security and local economies dependent on fishery resources. Climate resilience in the Caribbean therefore also requires sustainable management of marine resources.
A Caribbean of natural riches and exposed vulnerabilities
This panorama of figures shows a Caribbean that is both vulnerable and combative. The environmental challenges are many: global warming, over exploitation of resources, coastal pollution. But the answers are there: they are rooted in the forests of French Guiana, the bold policies of Dominica, the restored coral reefs of the Bahamas, or the daily gestures to reduce waste in Haiti.
Sustainability in the Caribbean cannot be reduced to slogans: it must be measured, analyzed and discussed. These figures, which are sometimes worrying, are also action points. They show that Caribbean climate resilience is built on local realities, community know-how and visionary policies.
Antigua and Barbuda has just been nominated as the Caribbean’ s Best Emerging Culinary Destination 2025 by the highly respected World Culinary Awards. And it’s no coincidence. For the past three years, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) has been actively working to reposition the country’s image, hitherto associated with its beaches, towards a narrative deeply rooted in gastronomy, terroir and cultural identity.
A World Culinary Awards nomination, a guarantee of credibility
This recognition pays tribute to the efforts of an entire ecosystem: from talented chefs to local producers, street-level artisans and decision-makers. Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez summed it up well: “This nomination is a reflection of our rich culinary heritage, and a celebration of the talents that make our national identity shine.”
Gastronomy Month : a pillar of culinary transformation
From traditional Restaurant Week to a full month of events
The heart of this transformation is the Gastronomy Month. This flagship program, launched by ABTA, has seen the former Restaurant Week evolve into a month-long series of immersive events. Each edition offers a deep dive into the cuisine of Antigua and Barbuda, far beyond a restaurant menu.
FAB Fest: an artistic and culinary showcase
FAB Fest (Food, Art and Beverage Festival) has become a must-attend signature event this month. It features the best chefs from both islands, creative mixologists, local artists and passionate producers. All in an atmosphere of culinary demonstrations, concerts, tastings and craft exhibitions.
Eat Like A Local: mapping authenticity
Another flagship initiative: Eat Like A Local. It’s an interactive digital map featuring certified vendors, street stalls and small addresses often unknown to tourists. The project encourages responsible, authentic exploration of the country, highlighting homemade dishes, grandma’s recipes and places frequented by locals.
Caribbean Food Forum: thinking the regional culinary future
Strategic thinking on food safety and innovation
Antigua and Barbuda isn’t just about cooking: the country is also thinking about the future. The Caribbean Food Forum, organized as part of the Gastronomy Month, brings together chefs, entrepreneurs, researchers and political leaders from across the Caribbean. Together, they are tackling the issues of food security, culinary innovation, know-how transfer and sustainable agriculture.
From chefs to politicians: a transdisciplinary dialogue
This forum goes far beyond a simple demonstration. It creates a space for dialogue between professions, where a chef can discuss food legislation with a member of parliament, or a farmer with a researcher on the impact of climate change. This cross-fertilization of ideas makes Antigua and Barbuda the region’s culinary laboratory.
An ambition driven by committed figures
Colin C. James: 365 beaches, 365 flavours
ABTA Managing Director Colin C. James sums up the country’s new slogan perfectly: “We’ve gone from 365 beaches to 365 flavors.” This transformation does not seek to erase the seaside image, but to add a layer of cultural and gustatory depth to it.
Shermain Jeremy: identity, pride and community
Heading up the coordination of Gastronomy Month, Shermain Jeremy is an essential figure. She insists: “What we’ve built goes beyond food. It’s about identity, pride and community.” For her, every street vendor, every mixologist, every artist contributes to this collective dynamic.
Antigua and Barbuda has established itself as a benchmark in the Caribbean culinary landscape. Antigua and Barbuda’s nomination as Best Emerging Culinary Destination in the Caribbean 2025 by the World Culinary Awards is a significant milestone in a collective, ambitious and deeply rooted project. Behind every dish served on these islands, there is a history, a memory, a know-how. And this richness deserves to be celebrated, shared… and savoured.
Richès Karayib met Paul Pennicook, general manager of Experience Turks and Caicos, at the 43ᵉ edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace. Far from being limited to the promotion of seaside resorts, his speech confirmed the Turks and Caicos’ ambition to open up to new markets and raise their profile in the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Travel Marketplace, a lever for global expansion
For Paul Pennicook, participating in the Caribbean Travel Marketplace was an obvious strategic move: it’s the region’s largest B2B tourism trade show in the regiona unique opportunity to meet operators from all over the world.
“Our main market is the United States, but here we were also able to meet partners from Canada, the UK, Europe… This event concentrates everything we’re looking for in terms of networking.”
Thanks to this platform, Experience Turks and Caicos intends to strengthen its partnerships and optimize its presence in key markets.
Visibility, partnerships and multi-channel strategy
According to Paul Pennicook, the discussions held during the two days of business meetings enabled the destination to envisage several collaborations with international tour operators. These future alliances are part of a clear dynamic: raise awareness of the archipelago’s offering among travelers and professionals.
“These meetings will help us get our message out, show what we have to offer and attract more visitors,” says Paul Pennicook.
A targeted approach, combining direct promotion and strategic canvassing, to further develop the destination’s upmarket positioning.
A festival in the making... and an invitation to the whole Caribbean
No official announcement yet, but Paul Pennicook reveals that teams are already working on the creation of one or more music festivals in the near future.
“We know how well musical events can create tourist movement. We want to invite not only our traditional markets, but also our Caribbean neighbors – including Martinique – to come and experience Turks and Caicos.”
This shift towards a more open Caribbean approach reflects a desire to diversify and forge closer cultural ties with other territories in the region.
Turks and Caicos, much more than a postcard
With a structured strategy, a desire to expand its partnerships and an assertive openness to Caribbean markets, Turks and Caicos is asserting itself as a destination on the move, Turks and Caicos is a destination on the move.. Paul Pennicook’s message is clear: the archipelago is ready to welcome, share and build sustainable, shared tourism with its partners.
“Turks and Caicos, an ocean of experiences. Come and see for yourself.”
Turks and Caicos International Music Festival returns from July 31 to August 3, 2025, promising a weekend where music, culture, beauty and sport intertwine to deliver a memorable experience on the island of Providenciales. This unique event, supported by Experience Turks and Caicos, embodies the government’s desire to promote authentic, immersive experiential tourism, which appeals to both locals and visitors from all over the world.
A multi-faceted festival: Music, Culture, Beauty and Sport
The heart of the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival beats to the rhythm of a rich and varied musical program. The 2025 edition will feature genres such as reggae, soca, afrobeats and rake-and-scrape, bringing together international headliners and up-and-coming local artists. Among the first names to be announced, Kes the Band promise to set the stage alight with their infectious energy, while other artists will soon be revealed. The festival stands out for its ability to bring together different musical influences, creating a sonic mosaic that reflects the diversity and cultural richness of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Celebrating beauty with Miss Universe Turks & Caicos
It’s impossible to talk about the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival without mentioning the dazzling Miss Universe Turks & Caicos pageant. A veritable ode to beauty, elegance and female empowerment, the opening night on August 1 will spotlight the archipelago’s most inspiring women. More than just a competition, it’s a momentous occasion in which each candidate embodies the values, tradition and modernity of the Turks and Caicos Islands, while preparing to proudly represent the nation on the world stage.
Trevor Ariza Celebrity Golf Tournament
On Sunday August 3, the festival will take on a sporting dimension with the first-ever celebrity golf tournament organized by Trevor Ariza, a famous NBA player originally from the islands. Held at the prestigious Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, the tournament will bring together sportsmen and women, celebrities and local golfers around a common cause: supporting charitable initiatives in favor of the community. A meeting where competition rhymes with solidarity, offering a fine conclusion to this festive weekend.
The Fish Fry: diving into local culture
The Fish Fry is one of the highlights of the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival. This festive evening is a real immersion in local culture, with traditional dishes, live music, crafts and conviviality. It’s the perfect opportunity for visitors to discover the authentic flavours of the islands and share a warm moment with the locals.
Live concerts: renowned artists and local talent
At the heart of the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival, live concerts offer a stage for internationally renowned artists such as Kes the Band, as well as young local talent. This musical diversity is the strength of the festival, which celebrates both the Caribbean scene and new voices from the Turks and Caicos Islands. Festival-goers will be able to vibrate to the sound of lively rhythms, dance under the stars and experience unforgettable moments.
A commitment to community and charity
The Turks and Caicos International Music Festival isn’t just about partying: it’s also actively committed to the community. Trevor Ariza’s golf tournament, for example, supports a local charity, demonstrating the importance of mutual aid and solidarity within the event. This social component reinforces the festival’s positive impact on the archipelago and its inhabitants.
A festival for everyone: locals and visitors
One of the great assets of the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival is its ability to unite locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re a music fan, a sports enthusiast, a culture lover or simply curious to discover a new destination, this festival offers a tailor-made experience, accessible to all audiences.
Dates, Venues and Access
The Turks and Caicos International Music Festival will take place from July 31 to August 3, 2025, mainly on the island of Providenciales. The various events will take place in iconic venues, including the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, open-air stages and areas dedicated to gastronomy and crafts.
Where to buy tickets and take advantage of special offers
Tickets for the Turks and Caicos International Music Festival are already on sale at islandetickets.com. Early bird prices are available for a limited time only. Book early to guarantee your place at this exceptional event.
The Turks and Caicos International Music Festival combines music, culture, beauty and sport in a warm and festive atmosphere. Whether you’re a music lover, a golf enthusiast or a lover of cultural discoveries, this festival promises an experience rich in emotions and encounters.
Richès Karayib met with Grégoire Dumel, regional and local manager at the Saint-Martin Tourist Office, at the 43ᵉ edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025. For Grégoire Dumel, participation in this key Caribbean tourism event is more than just shaking hands: it involves a concrete, long-term strategy involving regional coordination, sales follow-up and action on the ground.
A strategic meeting to structure the future
For Grégoire Dumel, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace is much more than a trade show: it’s an essential networking platform for all Caribbean destinations wishing to strengthen their foothold in North American, European and Latin American markets.
“The CHTA brings together all the buyers and sellers at these major markets. For us in Saint-Martin, it’s vital to be there to coordinate our future marketing and communication actions.”
Saint-Martin Tourist Office present on both sides of the island (French and Dutch), is part of a global of cooperation and global visibility to promote the destination.
A trade show, and then what? The next step is in the field
Contrary to a superficial view of these events, Grégoire Dumel emphasizes the post-show work often invisible, but decisive.
“The show is 20% of our work. Now we have to call, relaunch, build. That’s where our action really begins.”
These meetings should give rise to concrete partnerships, negotiated packages and targeted campaigns. The aim is clear: to boost the number of visitors to Saint-Martin, by relying on a network of committed agents, tour operators and professionals.
Love Days 2025 - The next big event on Saint-Martin
The post-show period does not mean a return to routine. Quite the contrary, in fact. From June 6 to 8, 2025 Saint-Martin will host a new edition of its Love Days, an event designed to appeal to couples and lovers of the destination alike.
“We’re inviting our neighbors from Guadeloupe and Martinique, as well as Trinidad and Tobago, to come and discover the island over the Whitsun long weekend,” explains Grégoire Dumel.
Supported by a joint Franco-Dutch delegation the seduction operation is not limited to a simple weekend: it is part of a regional appeal. The campaign is in line with Saint-Martin’s presence in Trinidad from June 3 to 9 for a direct promotional campaign aimed at the general public and agencies.
Saint-Martin, between strategic monitoring and festive hospitality
In Grégoire Dumel’s words, it’s all about Saint-Martin’s strategic maturity presence at major forums, rigorous sales follow-up and the ability to rapidly activate targeted operations in the field. The Caribbean Travel Marketplace is a springboard, but it’s consistency and coordination that will make the difference in the months ahead.
With the Love Days and the mission to Trinidad, the island shows that it knows how to move from words to action, always at the service of authentic, shared and ambitious tourism.
Richès Karayib met with Patrice Simon, Executive Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, on the occasion of the 43ᵉ edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace. For the first time, Antigua and Barbuda hosted this regional Caribbean tourism summit. A logistical challenge as much as a strong signal for a destination that wants to make its voice heard and strengthen its place in the regional tourism landscape. Interview with a key player in this successful event.
An exemplary host island
Patrice Simon makes no secret of her pride: Antigua & Barbuda has risen to the challenge. Welcome over 9,000 B2B meetings and delegates from all over the Caribbean was a first for this small island nation. Yet nothing was left to chance.
“It was a huge honor to host the Caribbean Travel Marketplace for the first time,” she emphasizes. “We showed that even a small island can host a big event with seriousness and professionalism.”
This success is based on between the private sector and public institutions: the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, and the Ministry of Tourism worked hand in hand, with the support of Minister Charles Max Fernandez. This synergy ensured a smooth organization and an excellent representation of the destination.
Enhancing the authenticity of Antigua and Barbuda
Far from being content with a classic showcase, the host delegation wanted to more than just its famous beaches..
“Everyone knows the slogan ‘365 beaches, one for every day of the year’,” recalls Patrice Simon. “But we also wanted to show that the richness of Antigua and Barbuda lies in its people, its culture and its cuisine.
The message is clear: the country wants to assert its plural identity beyond postcard images. By hosting the CHTA 2025, the destination also hopes to strengthen its appeal to industry professionals, by focusing on the human and cultural experience.
Regional impetus for the future
For Patrice Simon, this event represents a turning point. This is not just a local success, but a signal to the entire Caribbean: small states can also be at the heart of regional strategy.
“The level of exchange, information and collaboration was exceptional. We hope it will inspire other destinations to get involved with the same enthusiasm.”
Patrice Simon is already looking ahead to future editions, and is ready to continue the work already underway, particularly in the field of regional tourism integration.
A Caribbean of synergies
Through Patrice Simon’s enthusiasm, a whole vision of Caribbean tourism takes shape: inclusive, rooted in local realities, supported by solid public-private partnerships. CHTA 2025 in Antigua and Barbuda will have marked an important milestone for the island’s visibility, but also for the recognition of the role that each territory can play in the sector’s collective development.
Richès Karayib continues his series of interviews with figures from the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025. To be continued…
