ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Derede Whitlock, Antigua tourism officer, talks about Antigua and Barbuda with Jim Altman and Sara Cody co-hosts of Sunday Morning Show FOX CT.

(New York, NY) As a lead up to the Thanksgiving celebrations, the US Tourism team hit the road to kick off intensive promotions for the upcoming 2012-2013 winter season.

Antigua and Barbuda received significant exposure via several media outlets throughout Connecticut at the Ski and Sun Travel Expo with a showcase of local accommodations, attractions, cuisine, and entertainment that the destination has to offer.

Attracting more than 10,000 Connecticut residents, the one-day Travel Expo coincided with the official start of the Holiday season, also the height of the booking season, when many families in New England typically finalize their winter and spring break vacation plans.

For six weeks leading up to the Travel Expo, the Ski and Sun Travel Expo was promoted by a distinguished group of media partners with wide reach throughout the state of Connecticut including: The Hartford Courant, FOXCT, CTnow.com, ValuMail, and Advocate Weekly. 

Antigua and Barbuda was featured on FOX CT's Sunday morning Show, as the Ski and Sun Travel Show was broadcast live from the Cromwell Crowne Plaza. During the segment, US Director, Derede Samuel-Whitlock promoted the diversity and charm of the destination and announced two prize giveaways to Nonsuch Bay and The Verandah Resorts.

"Antigua and Barbuda has so much to offer to families, couples and groups. With a range of accommodations from the all- inclusive to the ultra-exclusive, there are packages to suit every budget and taste."

Antigua and Barbuda partnered with Largay Travel, a Connecticut-based Virtuoso Agency, one of the top producers for the destination in the New England area. Travel agent, Bill Lynch and representatives from Nonsuch Bay and Elite Island Resorts promoted several travel packages and "show only" specials. Through the combined efforts of the team, instant bookings were generated and hundreds of leads from potential visitors.

In recent years, Connecticut has become a prime target for Antigua and Barbuda and is one of the fastest growing source markets in the United States.  It is considered to be a part of the New York metropolitan area with eight counties commonly grouped as part of the Tri-State area.

Connecticut is also listed as having one of the highest per capita income and median household income in the United States.

This is the second year that Antigua and Barbuda has participated in the Ski, Sun and Travel Expo and this year, several other Caribbean destinations including Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Bermuda participated in the event for the first time. An array of distinctive lifestyle exhibits, including major restaurant chains, excursions, ski resorts, wellness retreats, and other attractions were also showcased at this consumer event.

Photo: Derede Samuel Whitlock and Cyndi Miller from Nonsuch Bay Resort