A multi-destination media familiarisation trip to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands will be a key feature of this year’s Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace.

The announcement was made by CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig, at a recent press briefing, held at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in New Kingston.

“This exclusive trip will see five specially invited members of the media on a 10-day trip to experience the depth, beauty, culture and diversity of these Caribbean islands,” said Madden-Greig.

The trip will commence in the Dominican Republic on May 17 and end in the Cayman Islands on May 26.

The CHTA president noted that the initiative is the first step in the ongoing drive to promote multi-destination travel within the region. She indicated that it will highlight to all visitors to the Caribbean, the endless possibilities of visiting not one, but several Caribbean islands as “we improve inter-connectivity across the region”.

“As I have often said, one cannot say you have truly been to the Caribbean, having only visited one or two islands. Just as one would plan to travel to Europe and visit two or three or more countries, similarly we are positioning the Caribbean as a place to hop from one island to the other for rich and immersive experiences,” Madden-Greig explained.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said he is “excited” about the multi-destination tourism initiative, as it is part of the future of Caribbean tourism.

“What COVID taught is that… we must collaborate – do things together and achieve results because of convergence and coalitions,” he noted.

“The private sector, having indicated to President Madden-Greig that they are ready for building out the multi-destination product, now ask the question of the public sector for that ambition, for us to begin to synchronise policies and to look at how to harmonise the different arrangements that need to come together to make the Caribbean tourism move to the next level, and multi-destination tourism does offer this great opportunity,” said Bartlett.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace provides a platform for tourism suppliers the to meet face-to-face with wholesalers from around the world selling Caribbean vacation travel. The main objective is for suppliers and buyers to conduct negotiations that benefit the region.

The event will take place in Montego Bay from May 20 – 23.