Antigua and Barbuda is celebrating a strong start to 2026 after successfully hosting the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) for the second consecutive year while reporting record-breaking tourism growth across multiple sectors.
Held from May 12-15 during Antigua and Barbuda’s Culinary Month, Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 welcomed travel professionals, tour operators, airline representatives, and media from around the world. The event showcased the twin-island nation’s tourism offerings while providing an important platform for business networking and destination promotion.
During the event, tourism officials announced impressive first-quarter performance figures that underscore Antigua and Barbuda’s growing appeal among international travelers. The destination recorded 110,832 stayover arrivals during the first quarter of 2026, representing a 6.7% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Growth was recorded throughout the quarter, with January arrivals increasing by 5% to 36,052 visitors. February welcomed 36,133 visitors, reflecting a 6% increase, while March delivered the strongest performance with an 8% jump to 38,097 arrivals.
The United Kingdom emerged as the fastest-growing source market, posting a 14% increase over the previous year. The United States remains Antigua and Barbuda’s largest market, accounting for 46% of stayover arrivals. Europe follows with 34%, while Canada contributes 12% of visitors. Tourism officials also highlighted efforts to expand into emerging markets across Latin America and Africa.
The destination’s cruise sector is also experiencing significant momentum. Antigua and Barbuda projects a 21.9% increase in cruise arrivals for 2026, with visitor numbers expected to reach nearly 895,000. Supporting this growth is the recently opened $30 million cruise terminal, which welcomed its first guests in January as part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s tourism infrastructure.
Air connectivity continues to expand as well. New services launched this year include Sunrise Airways’ route between Antigua and the Dominican Republic and LIAT Air’s service to Guadeloupe. Meanwhile, Air Peace is introducing a new route connecting Antigua to Lagos, Nigeria, via Barbados.
Several major hospitality projects are also underway. New developments include the Moon Gate Hotel & Spa, the Nobu Beach Inn on Barbuda, the Nikki Beach Resort and Spa, and the Rosewood Hotel Barbuda, all aimed at enhancing the destination’s luxury tourism offerings.
With strong visitor growth, expanded airlift, new hotel investments, and upgraded infrastructure, Antigua and Barbuda is positioning itself as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism destinations. The nation is expected to gain additional international attention later this year when it hosts the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, welcoming thousands of delegates and global media representatives to its shores.