ST JOHNS, Antigua – The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority recently completed a successful week at London’s World Travel Market (WTM). This event is held annually and is view as the world’s leading conference for the travel industry and takes place in London’s largest exhibition centre.
The three-day event welcomed over 50,000 exhibitors, buyers, media, and industry professionals for a chance to network and negotiate with members of the tourism community.
The Antigua and Barbuda team was led by Antigua and Barbuda’s minister for tourism and investment, Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, included; Cricket legend and Antigua and Barbuda National Hero, Sir Vivian Richards, chairperson of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), Lorraine Raeburn, chief executive officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, and director of tourism UK & Europe, Cherrie Osborne.
Over the three days, tourism minister and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority team hosted meetings with a variety of top tour operators, suppliers and some of the UK’s most influential media where the island’s 2020 news, hotel openings and focus on green initiatives were a core focal point.
Colin C. James was a speaker on WTM panel, ‘Plastic Waste – what should the industry do?’ He discussed the island’s sustainability plans. Addressing the UK’s top media and industry experts, the discussion focused on plastic waste, reducing plastic with visiting travellers and the sought-after goal of becoming a plastic-free island – an initiative that paves the way for other Caribbean islands to follow.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority rewarded its leading partner operators with presentations of Antigua and Barbuda Black Pineapple Awards throughout the show.
This included Best Partnership going to Virgin Holidays, Best Overall Performance to BA Holidays, Best Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Campaign to Best At Travel and Best Business-to-Business (B2B) Campaign to Caribtours.
The week was punctuated with opportunities to showcase the island’s recent successes, with the tourism authority, winning several awards, including:
Best Broadcast, Best Consumer and Best Social Media Campaign, at the annual CTO Caribbean Travel Media Awards, held on the Monday evening of World Travel Market. The destination also won an award for Best Digital Influencer Campaign for #LoveAntiguaBarbuda at the International Travel and Tourism Awards.
“It’s been yet another hugely successful week at WTM London. We are delighted to see the continued interest in Antigua and Barbuda from both the UK trade and media. As always, there is so much happening on the island and we are excited to see what 2020 brings for both the island, and the travellers choosing to holiday there,” chief executive officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, James said.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua & Barbuda comprises 108-square miles. The 365 white and pink sand beaches, one for every day of the year, are just the beginning of the treasures that await visitors. Antigua’s rich history and spectacular topography provide a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities.
Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort commissioned by the British in 1755, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Betty’s Hope, built in 1674, is the site of one of the first full-scale sugar plantations on Antigua, and offers a chance to step back into time by visiting the restored mills. Another unique attraction is Devil’s Bridge, located at the eastern tip of the island in Indian Town National Park, where Atlantic breakers have carved out a natural limestone arch.
Antigua boasts a varied tourism calendar including events such as the World Class Antigua Sailing Week, Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Sports Fishing and also the annual Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Island accommodation ranges from luxury resorts and all-inclusive hotels to smaller more intimate boutique guesthouses and cottages.
