There has been a surge in new buyers for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA's) Caribbean Travel Marketplace now on at the Atlantis, Paradise Island in The Bahamas.
CHTA is reporting that 15 new buyers from close to a dozen countries are attending the event, in addition to the established tour operators, wholesalers and online travel agencies, who flock the conference each year,
According to president, Karolin Troubetzkoy, an estimated 1,000 registrants with a record number of new buyers are participating.
The new buyer companies are from countries such as Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, and Germany.
"Over 10,100 appointments were made between buyers and suppliers," said CHTA chief executive officer, Frank Comito, adding that interest in the Caribbean from new buyers was very encouraging.
Caribbean Travel Marketplace is a platform for members to increase their businesses by meeting with buyers from all over the world.
"There has been some very robust discussions, as we position the region as the best place in the world to visit for business or leisure," he said.
The conference was officially opened on Tuesday by Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Perry Christie.