The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced that Saint Lucia will host the inaugural CTO Latin American Market Summit on May 5–6, 2027.
The announcement was made this week during the World Travel Market Latin America in Brazil.
The one-and-a-half-day summit is designed to deepen ties between Caribbean tourism stakeholders and the fast-growing Latin American travel market. It will bring together Latin American airlines, tour operators, travel agents, media representatives and partner destinations to identify new opportunities, build commercial partnerships and advance regional collaboration.
Key objectives of the summit include positioning the Caribbean as a premier destination for Latin American travelers, sharing market research and insights through panel discussions and keynote sessions, facilitating direct one-on-one business meetings, and strengthening cooperation with CTO Allied Members, ACI-LAC and other key industry partners. The event will also feature destination showcases from across the Caribbean.
A major focus will be improving air connectivity between the Caribbean and Latin America. Organizers intend to build on findings from the CTO Air Connectivity Study, which highlighted existing capacity gaps and the strong potential for new air services to key South American markets such as Argentina, Chile and Brazil.
Tourism Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire welcomed the announcement, describing it as a significant opportunity to elevate Saint Lucia’s presence in the Latin American market while strengthening the island’s tourism product. “We are extremely proud that Saint Lucia has been selected to host this inaugural summit. It speaks to the confidence in our destination and our ability to deliver at the highest level. As we continue to position Saint Lucia as a premier tourism destination, this summit provides a critical platform to deepen engagement with Latin America, one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets,” Hilaire said.
He added that Saint Lucia’s tourism offering remains highly competitive within the Caribbean, pointing to the island’s consistent recognition on the global stage. “Saint Lucia continues to stand out in the region because of the diversity of experiences we offer, from our iconic landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage to our strong reputation for hospitality and service.
Our destination has been recognised repeatedly with major international accolades, including being named the Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination on multiple occasions, as well as Caribbean’s Leading Destination, among many other awards. These recognitions reinforce the strength and appeal of our tourism product,” the minister stated. “Compared to other destinations in the region, we offer a distinctive, immersive experience that resonates strongly with today’s traveler. Hosting this summit allows us to showcase that product directly to key players in the Latin American market,” he added.
The CTO Latin American Market Summit is expected to play a key role in expanding regional tourism linkages, improving air access, and unlocking new opportunities for increased visitor arrivals to Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean.
