British Virgin Islands Records Successful Participation at 42nd CHTA Marketplace

A small contingent from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) tourism sector celebrated a successful attendance at the 42nd Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace, held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from May 20 to 23.

The BVI delegation, comprising key members of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC), the British Virgin Islands Yachting, Hotel & Tourism Association (BVIYHTA), and other prominent tourism industry partners, engaged in fruitful discussions and networking activities throughout the event.

The BVI contingent included Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism; Shonda Maduro, Business Development Manager (Northeast); Keith Dawson, Public Relations Manager from BVITBFC; Sally-Ann Riley, Secretary of BVIYHTA; Nancy Williams, Director of Sales, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina; and Marike Friends-Fifield, Director of Sales, Peter Island Resort. This dedicated team met with over 100 delegates, delivering presentations on the BVI as a premier destination, and provided updates to both new and existing buyers, as well as the media, on the latest tourism developments in the Territory.

“CHTA Marketplace is a crucial event for connecting with new buyers, updating our established partners on BVI tourism, and collaborating with Caribbean tourism colleagues to tackle common regional challenges,” said Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism. “We were also pleased to have representation from Peter Island Resort who were able to share the exciting news of the resort’s imminent return in the fourth quarter of this year,” the Director added.

The CHTA Marketplace, renowned as the Caribbean’s premier tourism marketing event, attracted over 1,200 delegates from 50 countries, facilitating 1,274 appointments between buyers and suppliers. Participants included tourist boards, hotels, airlines, tour operators, travel wholesalers, travel consortia, hotel and tourism associations, property management companies, and media. This year saw notable participation from non-traditional markets such as Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia, alongside the traditional markets.