ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

UK Director presents A-List Agent Award to Joanna Hopkins

A UK travel agent who made a whooping incentive travel booking to Antigua valued at over £70,000 has become the first agent to make it onto Antigua’s exclusive A-List.

The A-List incentive scheme created by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority recognises and rewards agents who make exceptional bookings, above and beyond the norm.

Joanna Hopkins who works at the First Choice travel agency in Billericay, Essex made the large Antigua booking.  The group travels to Antigua next year.

UK Director of Tourism, Hilary Modeste said: “Hopkins really worked hard to secure and pull in this 32 room booking for Antigua, and we felt it was important to say thank you.”

The UK Tourist Office visited Hopkins at her workplace, to present her with the A-list Award and celebrate her induction with her and colleagues.

Hopkins said it took a month to lock down the Antigua booking. “It was between Antigua and a Sandals property elsewhere.  Selling Antigua was quite easy. I have been to Antigua before, so I knew Antigua as well as what the Sandals Antigua product had to offer, and felt this would be a perfect fit for the group.”

Hopkins was amongst the first set of agents to receive training from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority upon their move to Essex, last November.

In February, the Antigua and Barbuda UK team conducted on a number of sales calls and training sessions within the Essex region.  Roadshows will continue throughout the UK.

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is encouraged by the recent trend of agents switch-selling to Antigua from other destinations. This demonstrates that the aggressive trade awareness campaign, which includes familiarization trips, in-shop training and e-learning is providing agents with the knowledge they need to confidently sell Antigua holidays.

Agents who make bookings over £20,000 will win prizes and awards as part of the Antigua A-list incentive.