ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Over 3,000 patrons attended the 101 ultra-premium all-inclusive event, which was held in Trinidad and featured Antiguan soca artists

St. John’s, Antigua (February 12, 2018) - The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), in collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has just wrapped up a busy week of intense regional promotions for the launch of Antigua’s Carnival 2018 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Antigua and Barbuda was among several Caribbean destinations that descended into Trinidad and Tobago to promote their destination product and Carnivals, to the thousands of international and regional visitors taking part in Trinidad’s world-renowned Carnival.

Antigua and Barbuda's presence was hard-hitting in Trinidad and Tobago over the last week, as ABTA's Regional Marketing Consultant, Charmaine Spencer, and Compliance & Accommodations Manager in the Ministry of Tourism, Dulcie Looby-Greene, went on a media blitz.  Hitting the Trinidad airwaves, the team made appearances with Soca Artiste Ricardo Drue on CCN TV6’s Morning Edition, as well as leading radio stations i.95.5FM, Power 102FM and Boomchampions 94.1FM, promoting  the destination, its wide array of accommodations and the annual calendar of events to Trinidad audiences. The delegation also visited East Indian radio and TV stations, mas camps, and conducted in-depth meetings with numerous travel trade partners, providing information on the destination as well as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival.

Information on Antigua and Barbuda was made available to patrons of the 101 fete held in Trinidad on Saturday

“After the success of last year’s regional launch of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago we recognized that Trinidad plays host to one of the largest Carnivals globally, and noticed other Caribbean destinations capitalizing on this opportunity to showcase their Carnivals. We thought it pertinent to heighten awareness of our Carnival product and to be competitive with other regional destinations. The synergy of Trinidad’s Carnival is the perfect regional platform to launch Antigua’s Carnival – The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival,” explained Minister of Culture and National Festivals Hon. E.P Chet Greene.  “So we decided to seize this opportunity to partner on an event to showcase the best of Antigua’s Carnival and to expose our artistes to the wider region and the world”.

The week-long Road Show in Trinidad and Tobago culminated with Antigua and Barbuda co-hosting the popular ultra-premium all-inclusive fete known as "101”, bringing the high-energy of Antigua's Carnival to Trinidad.  Antigua and Barbuda partnered with the Trinidad Estate101 fete organisers on the event, which was heavily marketed throughout the Trinidad Carnival season.  The fete which saw close to 3,000 patrons, featured some of Antigua and Barbuda's greats; from the rising stars of Menace and Ricardo Drue, to the soca pioneers of 'Tizzy', and the legendary Burning Flames. They shared the stage with other soca headliners such as Trinidad's Patrice Roberts, and Kes the Band.

Ministry of Tourism Compliance and Accomodations Officer Dulcie Looby-Greene, Antigua Carnival Jumpy Monarch Ricardo Drue and ABTA Regional Marketing Consultant Charmaine Spencer following a media interview

Trinidad and Tobago continues to be a key strategic market for Antigua and Barbuda, with a population of approximately 1.3 million, it’s one of the largest target markets for the destination from within the Caribbean. Due to sustained marketing efforts of the ABTA, in 2017, Trinidad and Tobago was one of few regional markets that showed consistent year-on-year growth in arrivals into Antigua and Barbuda.

“The destination promotional efforts of the combined Tourism and Culture teams will go a long way to raising Antigua and Barbuda’s profile among that affluent segment of Trinidadians who travel extensively to other countries to experience Carnival. This combined with the availability of packages with the airlines and hotels will ensure that we make it convenient and affordable for those persons wanting to visit us to experience our Carnival, the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez.

As part of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority's Regional Launch of Antigua's Carnival, the ABTA has partnered with regional carrier Liat in offering a special promotional fare. Persons wishing to travel for Antigua Carnival can take advantage of a 10% promotional offer on Liat.com available for travel from July 25 – August 10, when booked by March 31, using the promo code, ANU CL.  

For further information on Antigua and Barbuda visit: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com and www.antiguacarnival.com.

For full details of the LIAT Promotional Offer and Terms and Conditions, visit www.Liat.com