ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

 

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Officials are currently successful showcasing the destination in Fort de France Martinique at Salon du Voyage et Vacanes, the leading travel trade show, being held from March 2 -  March 4.

 

The delegation led by CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, included Ms Dulcie Looby-Greene Compliance Officer in the Ministry of Tourism with responsibility for the small properties and Robert Samuel Marketing Officer within the Tourism Authority. They were joined by property owners from the destination’s Boutique type VIP and Unique properties in showcasing their product, conducting vital meetings with French tour operators, and live interviews on Martinique Premiere Radio and Radio Caraibes International.

 

The destination was supported by representatives from Anchorage Inn, Valley Creek Hotel, Jolly Beach, and Victory Villas. Delores Jardine one of the VIP property owners in attendance indicated that "they were overwhelmed by the response to the destination from the Martinique public which had surpassed their wildest expectations". Regional airline LIAT who were also in attendance supported the effort with special promotional fares from Martinique to Antigua for bookings made during the trade show.

 

CEO Colin  James said, “Our main objective at the show was to reintroduce the destination to the Martinique public in a big way and to assist our small property  owners by affording them an opportunity to benefit from the untapped regional tourism potential in the French West Indies.  When the opportunity was extended to us by the Martinique Chamber of Commerce to be the exclusive tourist destination at this event we took full advantage of it.” 

 

Feedback from the Travel trade in Martinique indicated that recent French visitors to Antigua and Barbuda on last summer's charter flights were very pleased with the destination which provided them with excellent value for money.

 

The destination was being promoted in the Martinique Press for about two weeks prior to the event and each day two lucky attendees to the show will have an opportunity to win a free vacation inclusive of travel and accommodations to the twin island nation.

 

The local properties who were all exhibiting for the first time in Martinique used the opportunities presented by the high volume of visitors to meet potential clients in an effort to promote their properties and increase their business. The trade show will see 15 to 20 thousand consumers descending on the venue and afford the destination an excellent opportunity to increase its awareness among the Martinique public who are the most avid leisure travelers in the French West Indies.