ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

The Honourable Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer presenting photos to the couple at Jumby Bay Resort.

As the destination prepares to celebrate June as “The Month of Romance”, the US Tourism team has intensified its promotional programs throughout the month, aimed at elevating Antigua and Barbuda’s profile as a premier romance destination. 

 

The team has garnered support from Tourism Ambassador, Michael Warner of Egami Consulting. Over the past six months, Warner has implemented an Ambassador Referral Program where he personally pitches Antigua and Barbuda to a number of his high profile clients and associates. Warner presents the destination as “the Caribbean’s best kept secret, offering ultimate seclusion and pampering to keep romance in bloom.” The program targets couples at all stages of the relationship:  engaged, getting married, honeymooners, vow renewals or celebration of milestone anniversaries.
 

Indiana Pacers Basketball player, Dahntay Jones, who was one of the first to heed the call, is currently vacationing in Antigua and Barbuda upon the recommendation of Tourism Ambassador, Michael Warner. Jones is accompanied by his fiancée Valeisha Butterfield, a public affairs specialist employed by the Obama Administration since 2009 and daughter of US Congressman Charles Butterfield.
 

In addition to getting some well needed rest and relaxation,, Jones and Butterfield will conduct the official photo shoot to announce their engagement to the media.  Historical and cultural attractions and iconic settings such as Shirley Heights, Devil’s Bridge and Nelson’s Dockyard will be among the shoot locations.  The couple’s engagement story will be featured in Essence Magazine and Uptown Magazine, as well as a number of online publications. The couple had considered a destination wedding in Antigua and Barbuda for their upcoming nuptials, but decided to get married stateside instead, to accommodate elderly family members.
 

Over the weekend, Jones had an opportunity to meet with several government officials, including Prime Minister Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Minister of Sports, Senator Winston Williams and US Director of Tourism, Derede Samuel-Whitlock.  Jones had an opportunity to blend “Love and Basketball” as he stopped by JSC basketball court with his bride-to-be to enjoy a local game between the Baldwin Braves and the Hawks. 
 

“I am very impressed with the energy of the basketball teams and the island’s love for the game. I am really having a great time in Antigua, the beaches are great, the food, the people, I really like the way of life here,” said Dahntay Jones. The star NBA player also pledged his support to assist the government in developing a number of basketball initiatives including “Basketball without Borders.”   Jones intends to return to the island to assist the Ministry of Sports in its mobilization efforts to harness the country’s basketball talent.
 

Jones and Butterfield will travel to Barbuda to complete the photo shoot and sample the recently launched Barbuda Moons Romance Package.  The couple will arrive via helicopter to enjoy a Day moon which will include tours to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, Martell Towers and The Caves at Two Foot Bay.