Standfirst: SMART 2027 will take place in St. Maarten from June 14 to 18, bringing tourism buyers, suppliers and destination representatives together as Caribbean travel networks continue to expand.
St. Maarten will host SMART 2027 from June 14 to 18, 2027, with Jamaica, Curaçao and other Caribbean destinations expected to use the tourism marketplace to build commercial partnerships and develop future travel products.
The event is aimed at the travel industry rather than holidaymakers directly, but its outcomes could influence the packages, island-hopping itineraries, hotel partnerships and regional experiences eventually offered to international visitors.
What SMART 2027 means for Caribbean travel
SMART has developed into a significant tourism marketplace for the northeastern Caribbean. The gathering gives tourism boards, hotels, airlines, attractions, tour operators and travel sellers an opportunity to meet international buyers in one location.
The previous edition provides an indication of the scale expected in 2027. SMART 2026 included:
- 57 buyer companies
- 62 supplier companies
- 30 vendor businesses
- Delegates from 27 countries and territories
- More than 1,500 scheduled business appointments
- An exhibition area that was 40% larger than at the previous edition
These meetings can have a practical effect on future holidays. Business discussions at tourism events may lead to new accommodation contracts, combined destination packages, regional air connections, excursions and multi-island programmes.
Jamaica and Curaçao among participating destinations
Jamaica and Curaçao were publicly identified among the destinations involved in SMART 2026. Other publicly named participants included Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The full 27-country and territory participant register was not publicly available in the information reviewed, so the identified list should not be treated as a complete schedule of SMART 2027 participants.
Jamaica’s role
Jamaica adds one of the Caribbean’s best-known tourism markets to the event’s regional network. Its offering includes beaches and resorts, but also music, food, heritage, nature and inland experiences.
That range gives international travel buyers several products to consider alongside smaller-island destinations. In the longer term, stronger relationships could help sellers create more varied Caribbean itineraries rather than concentrating on one resort area.
Curaçao’s role
Curaçao brings a Dutch Caribbean dimension to the marketplace. Its participation alongside St. Maarten and other islands highlights the different experiences available across the region, from culture and architecture to beaches, diving, dining and nightlife.
For travellers, the potential benefit is greater choice. A future Caribbean holiday could combine a major gateway with smaller islands or destinations offering a different pace and style of travel.
Why St. Maarten is hosting the event
St. Maarten is positioned as a regional gateway, with air, cruise and maritime connections supporting travel around the northeastern Caribbean. The island’s tourism organisation also promotes island-hopping as part of the visitor experience.
St. Maarten recorded 855,994 air passenger arrivals in 2025, according to the figures cited in the event information. North America accounted for 541,615 arrivals, while the European Union contributed 221,179.
Those figures help explain why the island is an attractive meeting point for Caribbean tourism businesses seeking access to international markets. Hosting SMART allows suppliers from nearby destinations to meet buyers who may already be interested in selling St. Maarten.
How the 2026 event grew
SMART 2026 was the 18th edition of the annual tradeshow and took place from June 22 to 26 at the JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa in Dawn Beach.
Compared with 2025, buyer-company participation rose from 51 to 57. Supplier numbers increased from 44 to 62, while vendor businesses grew from 20 to 30. The exhibition area also expanded by 40%.
The reported country and territory totals for 2025 and 2026 use different descriptions and categories, so they should not be read as a straightforward year-on-year comparison. The clearest indicators of expansion are the increases in buyers, suppliers, vendors and exhibition space.
What travellers should expect next
SMART 2027 does not introduce a new border rule, flight schedule or immediate booking change. Travellers cannot assume that a new route or holiday package will result simply because destinations attend the event.
However, the marketplace can support discussions that later shape the commercial travel landscape. Possible outcomes may include:
- More multi-island holiday packages
- New partnerships between hotels and international sellers
- Broader excursion and attraction programmes
- Greater visibility for smaller Caribbean destinations
- Regional itineraries linking destinations such as St. Maarten, Curaçao and Jamaica
Any transport connections, fares or package details would need to be confirmed separately by the relevant airlines, ferry operators, hotels or tour companies.
Key date for the Caribbean tourism industry
SMART 2027 is scheduled for June 14 to 18, 2027, in St. Maarten. The event will bring Caribbean tourism suppliers and international buyers together at a time when destinations are seeking stronger regional cooperation and wider distribution.
For holidaymakers, the main significance is indirect but potentially important: relationships formed at the event may influence the destinations, combinations and experiences that become easier to book in the future.
Conclusion
SMART 2027 will place St. Maarten at the centre of Caribbean tourism networking from June 14 to 18, 2027. With Jamaica, Curaçao and other destinations connected through the marketplace, the event could help shape future island-hopping packages and regional travel partnerships. Travellers should treat any future route, hotel or holiday announcement as separate confirmation and check official providers before booking.
