The Caribbean Did Shine at WTE Miami 2025

Exclusive Interview with Javier Pérez Palencia, Director of WTE Miami

The third edition of the World Travel Expo Miami (WTE) has just wrapped up, confirming its role as one of the most significant global travel platforms in the United States. With nearly 300 exhibitors from four continents and over 3,000 travel professionals in attendance, the event turned Miami into a powerful hub for business opportunities, new launches, and international partnerships that will shape the future of the tourism industry.

Among the highlights, the Caribbean took center stage. Destinations such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico’s Caribbean region leveraged WTE Miami to boost their presence in the North American market while opening doors to Europe, Asia, and Latin America. To delve deeper into the achievements and what lies ahead, Caribbean News Digital spoke with Javier Pérez Palencia, Director of WTE Miami.

WTE Miami 2025 has just concluded. What do you consider to be the main achievements and highlights of this third edition?

The greatest achievement has been consolidating WTE Miami as the global travel marketplace in the United States. We brought together nearly 300 exhibitors from four continents and more than 3,000 travel professionals from across the U.S., making this the most diverse and well-attended edition to date. Beyond the numbers, what truly mattered was seeing Miami transformed into a hub for real business: from the launch of new air routes to the presentation of innovative technology platforms, along with thousands of meetings that opened the door to future opportunities.

This year saw significant participation from the Caribbean. How important was the presence of destinations such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico’s Caribbean region for the success of the event?

The Caribbean presence was essential. It is a priority for us to ensure the region receives the visibility it deserves, and in 2025 the global interest in the Caribbean was unmistakable. During the fair we conducted several interviews, and their impact was clear: Jamaica highlighted Miami’s role as a natural hub to connect with travelers and agents; the Mexico Caribbean delegation called WTE “a trade show truly worth supporting” and confirmed their participation in 2026; while representatives from Santa Marta, the pearl of Colombia’s Caribbean, emphasized the importance of WTE for building relationships with agencies and hotels across four continents. These testimonies show that the Caribbean was not just present but played a starring role in this edition.

Can you share some concrete figures—exhibitors, countries represented, hosted buyers, and media—that illustrate the growth of WTE Miami compared to previous years?

In just three editions, the event has multiplied in size. This year we reached nearly 300 exhibitors and over 3,000 registered professionals—tripling attendance. We welcomed more than 100 hosted buyers, 25 international media partners, and around 50 accredited journalists. In addition, our matchmaking platform facilitated more than 10,000 meetings. These figures speak for themselves: WTE Miami has grown from an emerging project into a truly international reference point.

What feedback did you receive from Caribbean exhibitors and buyers regarding the value of participating in WTE Miami?

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. During the event we collected impressions from different destinations: the Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) used the platform to launch its “Central America Gateway” campaign, positioning the region as an authentic multi-destination option for the North American market; Nicaragua described the experience as feeling “like brothers and sisters,” promoting culture, gastronomy, and nature together through joint public and private efforts; while from Brazil, the state of Bahia stressed that WTE is the perfect venue to showcase its cultural, culinary, and sun-and-beach offerings to the North American audience.

In addition, we launched surveys for both exhibitors and visitors to gather structured feedback. Early results have been very positive and constructive, and they will guide us in making further improvements. Our aim is always to provide the best possible value for both groups, ensuring each edition surpasses the previous one in quality and business opportunities.

Partnerships with airlines, sponsors, and institutions are central to trade shows like this. How did partners such as Delta Air Lines, LATAM Airlines, Turespaña, Iberia, Miami International Airport, and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau contribute to WTE Miami 2025’s success?

These partnerships are vital because they bring credibility, connectivity, and international visibility. Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines, as strategic partners, helped bring buyers and exhibitors from across the Americas. Iberia, together with Turespaña, provided strong European support. Miami International Airport and the GMCVB reaffirmed Miami’s role as a global hub. And of course, the networking events and receptions hosted by these partners were key moments to strengthen relationships with buyers in a more personal setting.

From your perspective, what makes WTE Miami a unique platform for Caribbean destinations seeking to reinforce their presence in the U.S. and connect with other international markets?

What sets WTE Miami apart is the combination of factors: Miami’s strategic location as the gateway to the continent, the international diversity that attracts buyers from four continents, and a format fully focused on business. For Caribbean destinations, this translates into direct visibility in the North American market—their primary source of visitors—while also offering access to Europe, Asia, and Latin America in one place. WTE Miami has become both a catalyst for contacts and a global showcase for the Caribbean.

Finally, what’s next? When will the fourth edition take place, and what can Caribbean destinations expect in 2026?

The fourth edition of WTE Miami will be held in the last week of October 2026. Our goal is to make an even bigger leap in participation and content, with the Caribbean at the forefront. Countries such as Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Belize already demonstrated in 2025 the value of being present, and now we want to encourage even more Caribbean destinations and companies to secure their spots early and include WTE in their 2026 budgets. For us, the Caribbean is a strategic priority, and WTE Miami is the place where its voice is projected to the world.