United States Joins Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Barbados, Martinique, Jamaica and More Caribbean and American Countries Participating at GTM North America 2026 in Florida, USA from 9 to 11 July

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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June 23, 2026 8:58 PM

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United States joins Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Japan and more nations at GTM North America 2026 in Florida as global tourism leaders, hotels, airlines and destinations gather to strengthen travel partnerships, accelerate bookings and reshape international tourism growth.

United States joins Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Japan and more nations at GTM North America 2026 in Florida as the global travel industry prepares for one of North America’s most influential business-to-business tourism marketplaces. The event will bring together tourism boards, hotels, cruise lines, airlines and destination management companies under one roof. Moreover, GTM North America continues to strengthen international travel partnerships through carefully curated meetings. As travel demand rises worldwide, this exclusive gathering is expected to become a major platform for new business opportunities, destination promotion and future tourism investment strategies across multiple global markets.

GTM North America 2026 is an invitation-only travel marketplace organised by Northstar Travel Group from 9 to 11 July 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More than 40 countries are expected to participate through tourism boards, airlines, hotels, cruise lines and destination companies, while approximately 450 to 550 delegates are expected to attend.

United States Joins Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Japan and More Nations at GTM North America 2026 in Florida

The global travel industry is preparing for another influential edition of GTM North America as travel suppliers, destination marketers and tourism executives gather in Florida to build new partnerships. Scheduled from 9 to 11 July 2026, the event will take place at Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale and will focus entirely on high-level business networking.

Unlike traditional tourism exhibitions, GTM North America operates through a carefully selected hosted-buyer model that prioritises quality over size. The event allows travel advisors and global suppliers to conduct pre-arranged meetings that are designed to generate immediate and long-term business opportunities.

Why is GTM North America considered one of the travel industry’s most influential marketplaces?

GTM North America has established itself as one of the most effective travel trade platforms because every attendee is selected based on their business relevance and market influence. Instead of attracting thousands of random visitors, the event brings together decision-makers who have substantial purchasing power within the tourism sector.

The event focuses on productivity by replacing crowded exhibition halls with personalised meetings and targeted business sessions. This structure helps companies maximise their return on investment within a short three-day timeframe.

Which countries are expected to showcase their tourism products?

More than 40 countries and territories are expected to participate through tourism boards, hotel groups, destination management companies and transportation providers. The global representation demonstrates the event’s growing importance within international tourism development.

Participating countries are expected to include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Iceland, Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru and several others.

Which exhibitors are expected to participate?

The exhibitor ecosystem covers nearly every segment of the travel industry. Hotels, airlines, cruise companies and destination organisations are expected to dominate the supplier lineup.

Expected participants include Atlantis Paradise Island, Meliá Hotels International, Hilton All Inclusive, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Qantas, TAP Air Portugal, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Viking Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Tourism Australia.

How many exhibitors and attendees are expected?

GTM North America intentionally limits its size to maintain business quality and maximise networking opportunities. The event is expected to feature approximately 280 to 320 supplier organisations within the broader GTM supplier ecosystem.

Overall attendance is projected to reach between 450 and 550 participants, including travel advisors, suppliers, sponsors and organisers. Around 180 to 220 elite travel advisors are expected to attend alongside approximately 180 to 250 supplier delegates.

How does the hosted-buyer model benefit tourism businesses?

The hosted-buyer format removes uncertainty from traditional exhibitions because participants already know who they will meet before arriving at the venue. Every meeting is strategically matched according to business interests and market demand.

Travel advisors can efficiently evaluate destinations, hotels and travel products while suppliers can directly access qualified buyers. This system often produces stronger commercial outcomes compared with larger trade shows.

Why is Florida an important destination for this event?

Florida continues to strengthen its position as a global tourism and meetings hub because of its excellent international connectivity and hospitality infrastructure. Fort Lauderdale, in particular, has become an attractive destination for international business gatherings.

Its proximity to major airports, cruise ports and tourism centres provides convenient access for participants arriving from multiple continents. Furthermore, the destination itself showcases the strengths of American tourism to international buyers.

What does GTM North America reveal about the future of tourism?

The event reflects the growing importance of relationship-driven tourism growth rather than mass marketing campaigns. Personalised travel experiences and strategic partnerships are increasingly shaping global tourism investment decisions.

Industry leaders are also prioritising sustainability, digital transformation, luxury experiences and destination diversification. These evolving priorities will likely define international travel growth throughout the coming years.

The cause behind GTM North America’s continued growth is the increasing demand for efficient and profitable travel business connections. The answer lies in its invitation-only structure that eliminates unnecessary interactions and prioritises meaningful commercial discussions. The reason for its global popularity is that tourism organisations can directly engage with qualified buyers within a highly productive environment. As international travel recovers and expands, destinations are seeking stronger partnerships instead of traditional marketing approaches. Consequently, GTM North America has emerged as a strategic platform that helps businesses secure bookings, expand market presence and accelerate tourism development.

Anup Kumar Keshan, Travel Industry Tycoon, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World “GTM North America 2026 perfectly represents the future of global tourism collaboration because it brings together influential decision-makers who have the ability to transform travel trends into measurable growth opportunities. This marketplace demonstrates that quality relationships remain the strongest foundation for sustainable tourism development. The event also highlights how destinations, airlines, hotels and tourism organisations are moving beyond traditional promotion and embracing strategic partnerships. Such platforms are extremely valuable because they create long-term economic benefits, strengthen global connectivity and encourage innovation that will positively shape the future direction of international tourism.”

GTM North America 2026 is much more than a travel trade event because it is a strategic global business platform connecting tourism leaders from dozens of countries. Through curated meetings, international partnerships and high-level networking, the marketplace continues to redefine how travel companies conduct business. Its invitation-only structure ensures meaningful engagement and measurable outcomes. As global travel expands, such events will become increasingly important in building stronger international tourism ecosystems. Florida’s role as host further reinforces its status as a world-class tourism destination capable of supporting influential global gatherings.