The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) in partnership with the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association and tourism stakeholders kicked off a series of planned regional promotions in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe last weekend.
“With the many new luxury property developments and product enhancements coming on stream in Antigua & Barbuda, such as the new airport terminal, luxury resorts and the planned upgrades and improvements to the cruise port, we thought now was a good time to invite and educate our regional neighbours on how to better sell the destination within their market” said Marketing Manager for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Charmaine Spencer.
The ABTA in partnership with the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (AHTA) and tourism stakeholders showed their continued commitment to the French Antillean market through meetings with travel trade and by offering special destination promotions to consumers during a two-day mall drive at one of Guadeloupe’s largest shopping centres, Destrelan Mall.
In conjunction with Liat – the Caribbean Airline, Siboney Beach Club and National Tours, much excitement was created in the mall as the Tourism Authority offered one lucky winner, of the thousands of interested Destrelan Mall patrons, the opportunity to win a roundtrip weekend stay in Antigua.
In addition to the Mall promotions, the tourism delegation, with members from Jolly Beach Resort, Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Verandah Resort & Spa, Cocos Hotel and National Tours, hosted a cocktail reception and destination presentation for several leading French travel agents and tour operators. The presentation provided the agents, tour operators, and press on-hand with a glimpse of the destination’s tourism product and some of the island’s leading all inclusive hotel offerings.
“Today with no visa restrictions and more convenient flight schedules the door is open for greater interaction between the two islands. We were in Guadeloupe to remind the local population that at only a few minutes flying time they have a destination offering an escape to an authentic Caribbean experience far different from their homeland”, said Neil Forrester, General Manager of the AHTA.
The Guadeloupe market has had a long standing interest in Antigua & Barbuda, with many agents indicating that the duty free shopping and all inclusive hotels are always an enticing attraction for their clients.
“The destination is forging ahead with its regional promotions to continue to grow market share within the Caribbean market,” said Spencer.
Antigua and Barbuda received over 25,000 stay-over tourism arrivals from the Caribbean from January – October 2014.
To reacquaint Caribbean agents with the destination the ABTA plans to organize a series of familiarization trips for regional travel agents in early 2015.