Richès Karayib went to meet Vanessa Ledesma, CEO of the CHTA (Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association) on the occasion of the 43ᵉ edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace held in Antigua and Barbuda from May 18 to 22, 2025. This flagship B2B tourism event in the region brought together suppliers, tour operators, institutions and experts around a common goal: to structure the future of Caribbean tourism. Exclusive interview on current challenges, future prospects and collective levers.
An essential platform for inter-Caribbean dialogue
Vanessa Ledesma opened the conversation with a reminder of the central role played by the CHTA (Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association) in the regional tourism ecosystem. With over 9,300 business meetings in two days between 25 Caribbean destinations and operators from 16 outbound markets. The event reflects a clear determination to : to strengthen commercial partnerships and collaboration between players in the field.
“It’s the must-attend B2B event for the Caribbean hotel and tourism sector,” she explains. “It not only allows you to forge relationships, but also to structure them around marketing strategies, product development and visibility.”
The quality of the exchanges, praised by the participants, marks a break with previous years. The sector is demonstrating increased maturity, in a context where agility has become an imperative.
Geopolitical challenges and market diversification
When asked about current challenges, Vanessa Ledesma points to a major uncertainty linked to the geopolitical situation in the United States the leading outbound market to the Caribbean. A slight decline in demand has been observed, prompting regional players to reorient their strategy towards Canada, Latin America but also towards a revival of intra-Caribbean tourism still fragile since the pandemic.
“We’re seeing growing interest from markets such as Brazil, Colombia and Quebec. We need to capitalize on this momentum, while facilitating air and sea connections in the region,” emphasizes Vanessa Ledesma.
This vision is in line with a logic of resilience and openness which could reshuffle the tourist industry’s deck in years to come.
Towards a stronger, more supportive and better-trained sector
In addition to this annual event, Vanessa Ledesma emphasizes the CHTA’s structural role in supporting the private sector. Advocacy, business intelligence, training, sustainability, accessibility: “these are just some of the services we offer our members.”
“The stronger our network, the more our collective voice is heard in the face of local, regional or international issues.”
She also invites all professionals to join the association to benefit from these resources and actively participate in the transformation of Caribbean tourism. The CHTA does not limit itself to events, but also acts on a day-to-day basis, notably through initiatives such as the Direct Booking Summit which aims to improve the digital autonomy of hotel operators.
The Caribbean on the move
The interview with Vanessa Ledesma perfectly illustrates a Caribbean in search of tourism sovereignty, market diversification and skills development.. Through a collective, proactive and structured approach, the CHTA is helping to shape a more sustainable, inclusive and successful Caribbean tourism industry.
Richès Karayib will continue this exploration of the industry’s voices through further exclusive interviews conducted during Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025.
