Category Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators

As Caribbean hoteliers face mounting distribution costs and intensifying competition for direct guest relationships, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and Triptease are bringing proven, revenue-focused solutions to the region. Now in its second year, the Direct Booking Summit (DBS) Caribbean edition returns on Thursday, May 15, 2026, at Sandals Grande Antigua — immediately following the 2026 Caribbean Travel Marketplace.

The Isle of Man, the birthplace of Pilates, will attempt to break the world record for the largest single Pilates class this summer, on the very ground where Joseph Pilates first developed his method over 100 years ago.

On 19 July 2026, thousands are expected to gather at Knockaloe for a landmark wellness festival and official world record attempt, celebrating the Island’s pivotal role in the origins of Pilates

A panel at ITB Berlin addressed the challenges faced by female leadership in the tourism industry from a practical and research perspective.

How do women make it into the top management tiers of large corporations? What can make launching a career easier for them and how should they confront resistance? These were the issues discussed at the panel discussion entitled “Courage, Power & Women in Action: Female Leadership in Tourism”. Katrin Rieger, Director of Travel Sales at HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung, who has held management positions in tourism for 18 years, is familiar with the prejudices women often encounter. She was often told “You’re too nice,” but she is convinced that leadership can also succeed behind the scenes – without dominant behaviour and with the involvement of male colleagues.

Despite growing global tensions, Germans are spending more on travel than ever before. At the opening of ITB Berlin 2026 on Monday, Albin Loidl, President of the German Travel Association (DRV), gave a positive assessment of 2025 in travel. He also looked ahead to the coming summer with optimism. Holidaymakers were booking earlier and placing greater emphasis on safety and quality, said Loidl. With regard to the current developments in Iran, he stated that the situation was being monitored with great concern.

At the opening press conference of ITB Berlin 2026, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola, highlighted the role of host country and welcomed the international media and industry representatives.

The ITB Travel & Tourism Report 2026/2027 shows that the mood in the industry is optimistic, but that strategic preparation often lags behind the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
According to data from the market research institute Phocuswright, the European and US travel markets are largely saturated. Speaking at the opening of ITB Berlin 2026 on Monday, Mitra Sorrells, CEO of the US institute said that despite this, she expected global annual growth of around 5.3 per cent until at least 2027. The driving forces were India and Latin America.

On the day before the start of ITB Berlin 2026, the global travel industry turns its attention to the German capital for three days. From 3 to 5 March, on its sixtieth anniversary, the World’s Leading B2B Travel Trade Show gathers nearly 6,000 exhibitors from more than 160 countries, underscoring its role as the main marketplace for international dialogue, economic prospects and strategic tourism issues of the future.

This week in Berlin, as the vast halls of ITB pulse with the energy of the global travel industry, Saint Lucia is asserting its presence with quiet confidence. Against the backdrop of the world’s leading travel trade show, the island is sharing a story that goes far beyond sun‑drenched beaches—one rooted in nature, culture and a clear vision for the future of tourism.
“ITB Berlin gives us a powerful platform to connect, to listen and to share who we are as a destination,” said an SLTA spokesperson. “Saint Lucia is not just a place to visit—it’s a place to feel, and that’s a message that resonates strongly with today’s travellers.”

There are destinations that whisper their appeal, and then there is Jamaica—an island that speaks in rhythm, colour, and warmth long before you arrive. From the moment the trade winds carry the scent of salt and spice, Jamaica announces itself not simply as a place on the map, but as a feeling: vibrant, soulful, and endlessly alive.
This spirit travelled far beyond the Caribbean this year, finding its way to the heart of Europe at ITB Berlin, where Jamaica’s tourism presence felt less like an exhibition stand and more like an open invitation. In a hall buzzing with global possibility, the island stood out not by shouting, but by moving—through music, storytelling, and the unmistakable pulse of its culture.

There are destinations that sell holidays, and then there are destinations that sell dreams. The Maldives has long belonged to the latter category—an archipelago of imagination where turquoise lagoons meet powder‑white sands and time seems to slow to the rhythm of the tides. This year, that dream is making a confident appearance in the heart of Europe as Maldives Tourism takes centre stage at ITB Berlin, the world’s most influential travel trade show.