ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

ST. JOHN’S ANTIGUA, (JUNE 27, 2018) – A spectacular taste experience of Antigua and Barbuda was in full effect at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean305 and Taste of the Caribbean event held last Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Jungle Island in Miami, Florida. Taste of the Caribbean and Caribbean305 occurred simultaneously with the 2018 CHTA’s Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF).

Caribbean305 allowed approximately 1,000 consumers the chance to experience the pulsating sounds of the Caribbean and savour Caribbean-style foods in a forum that brought together the best culinary professionals from 16 countries across the region. The celebration spotlighted and embraced the culinary and cultural experiences of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Antigua and Barbuda stood out among these 16 countries as delicious cocktails, food, and fun were the order of the day. Guests were given the opportunity to sample traditional Antiguan food, topping it off with local Susie’s Hot Sauce and a pineapple dip, while washing it down with a special cocktail called ‘The Antigua Smile.’ This signature cocktail was sponsored by the Antigua Distillery highlighting our very own English Harbour 5-year-old rum. Small samples of coconut sugar cakes and rum cake supplied by Francine Barnes of the Antiguan diaspora were also on display.

Representatives from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Jessica Berman - Acting Business Development Manager for Florida and South USA and Acting Operations Manager for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Ms. Donyelle Bird-Browne were available to share information and explain the uniqueness and diversity of their respective islands.

In response to the flurry of enquiries about the islands’ foods and culture, Acting Operations Manager at ABTA, Donyelle Bird-Browne said, “more and more food is becoming a nexus of travel. We are not only seeing posts of our beautiful beaches and historical sites, but we see food - and lots of it. Visitors are posting what they are eating while on their trip, and again after their trip. So, it clearly matters. The beach really is just the beginning, and we offer so much more. I see us on the cusp of elevating the Antigua and Barbuda culinary experience to another level, so I was particularly pleased to be able to participate in Caribbean305 for the first time this year and I hope to be able to showcase a national team to participate in the culinary and mixology competitions next year to give the consumers attending the absolute best Antigua and Barbuda foodie experience outside of the islands.”

“This is a foodie’s ultimate dream and the perfect festival for anyone with Caribbean roots looking for a taste of home,” said Frank Comito, Director General and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), producers of a successful second annual event.

Ending the night on a high note, guests enjoyed steel pan music, masqueraders, traditional mocko-jumbies, an Indo-Caribbean band, a reggae band featuring former Third World drummer Willie Stewart and a DJ, as a part of the celebration.

Caribbean305, produced by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), was supported by Platinum Sponsors JetBlue Vacations and Sazerac Company.

Gold Sponsors included Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Belize Tourism Board, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Gem Water, Goya, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jamaica Tourist Board, JetBlue Airways, Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee, Rums of Puerto Rico, Sandals Resorts, St. Lucia Tourism Authority, T-Mobile, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and Zico Coconut Water. Supporter Sponsor, Red Stripe Beer;