Basseterre, St. Kitts (28 August 2026) — The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA), in partnership with the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), successfully hosted the 2026 ASTA Caribbean Showcase, a five-day gathering that brought travel advisors, tourism leaders and industry partners from across the region and the United States to St. Kitts from August 22 to 26 for a program of education, business development and destination immersion.

Held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, Royal Beach Casino & Spa in Frigate Bay, the Showcase served as the central hub for the week’s programming, combining marketplace appointments, a General Session with senior government officials, a trade exhibition, and curated site visits to hotel properties across both islands.

The Showcase opened on Saturday, August 22, with a Welcome Reception at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, the event’s official Accommodation Partner. The evening brought together travel advisors and industry partners for their first connections of the week, setting the tone for the days of engagement that followed.

On Sunday, August 23, the Showcase’s General Session convened at the Marriott’s ballroom, drawing senior government officials and tourism leaders from across the Caribbean. Speakers included the Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, St. Kitts’ Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, International Transport, Employment and Labour, and Urban Development and the Honourable Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis. Also in attendance were Honourable Ministers from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the British Virgin Islands.

Destination presentations and travel advisor briefings featured Gary Sadler, Executive Vice President for Sales and Industry Relations at Unique Vacations, along with representatives from ALG, Discover Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages. Together, the presentations provided attendees with insights into the Caribbean’s evolving tourism landscape, emerging opportunities, and the region’s shared commitment to collaboration and sustainable growth.

The event’s educational component also featured the panel discussion “Selling the Unspoilt Caribbean,” which explored how industry representatives can effectively showcase the region’s destinations and authentic experiences while encouraging responsible tourism.

“ASTA’s Caribbean Showcase gives travel advisors the firsthand knowledge and relationships they need to sell the region with greater confidence and authenticity,” said Zane Kerby, President & CEO of ASTA.

On Monday, August 24, the Showcase’s Trade Exhibition brought travel agents, tourism boards and destination suppliers together under one roof, including representatives from St. Kitts & Nevis, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Curacao, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and, alongside industry names such as Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages and ALG Vacations. The St. Kitts Tourism Authority was represented by Danielle Weekes, Business Development Manager for the Northeast, Drunisha Hanley, Caribbean Sales & Events Officer, and Jason Amory, Marketing Agent, who engaged directly with advisors on the destination’s tourism product and the resources available through the St. Kitts Destination Specialist Programme and the Magellan Award-winning SKY Program.

Throughout the week, advisors took part in curated site visits designed to give them firsthand knowledge of the properties and experiences they can confidently recommend to clients. On St. Kitts, visits included Park Hyatt St. Kitts, KOI Resort Saint Kitts and Royal St. Kitts Hotel. A dedicated excursion to Nevis, hosted by the Nevis Tourism Authority, took advisors to Mount Nevis Hotel, The Hermitage Inn and Four Seasons Resort Nevis, highlighting the sister island’s intimate, refined approach to hospitality.

Garfield Collins, Director of Strategic Accounts, North America, for Couples Resorts Jamaica, described his time on the island as “amazing,” praising the warmth of the welcome and what he called a genuine “true Caribbean feeling.”

The Showcase closed with a farewell cocktail reception at Carambola Beach Club, giving travel advisors a final evening of hospitality, cuisine and cultural performances celebrating both Kittitian and Nevisian traditions before their departure.