ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Antigua and Barbuda joined over 30 Caribbean countries last week, in celebrating Caribbean Week in New York.  

This annual week of activities, coordinated by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), included a number of business meetings and networking opportunities tailored for decision makers in the Caribbean’s tourism, travel and investment fields. Also included were several experiential consumer events that highlighted the sights, sounds and flavors of the Caribbean.

The Antigua and Barbuda tourism team created a strong presence at the Caribbean Fair at Grand Central last Wednesday. Hundreds of New Yorkers, including scores of Antiguan and Barbudan nationals, stopped by the destination booth to learn more about Carnival and other festivals, attractions and accommodations and to take advantage of special promotional offers.

The flavors of the destination were also showcased as two Antiguan and Barbudan chefs participated in cooking demonstrations.  Last Tuesday, Chef Murphy conducted two interactive sessions at Bloomingdales flagship store. Utilizing local products such as English Harbour Rum and Susie’s Hot Sauce, Chef Murphy presented cuisine that is indigenous to Antigua and Barbuda.



Chef Shawnee was one of several Caribbean Chefs featured at the Rum and Rhythm event last Friday. Taking a cosmopolitan approach, she created a culinary fantasy of local delicacies fused with international fare. In her display, Chef Shawnee recreated a beach setting in an ensemble that featured a ripple effect and a live crab, exuding the tranquility and bounty of the ocean surrounding Antigua and Barbuda.

The Tourism Team, led by Minister John Maginley utilized this key opportunity to increase destination awareness and present business opportunities to travel industry representatives and potential investors in the region in the tri-state area, the largest source market and most accessible US gateway to the destination. Participants included Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and featuring the chief executive of Branson’s Caribbean-based Branson Center of Entrepreneurship, an economic development initiative, is a perfect example of the key networking events tailored for decision makers in the tourism, travel and investment.



US Tourism Director, Derede Samuel-Whitlock said “Caribbean Week is particularly appealing to New Yorkers with Caribbean roots as well as those who enjoy what the Caribbean region has to offer. Each year we use this opportunity to find unique ways to showcase our music, culture and cuisine and to promote special offers, particularly around our festivals such as Carnival and Sailing Week.”

The contingent also included Mr. Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Mr. Corthwright Marshall, Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Tourism. The Tourism officials attended a series of business meetings and events and updated journalists on marketing initiatives and developments on-island at the Caribbean Media Marketplace and the Caribbean Marketing Conference and Awards Luncheon.