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…
