ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Officials participated in another successful showcasing of the destination, this time in Beijing China, during the China Outbound Tourism & Travel Market (COTTM).  COTTM, China’s leading travel and trade show, is being held at the China World Trade Center from April 27 – 30th.

The delegation led by CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, included Marketing Manager of the UK tourist office Cherrie Osborne and several students from Antigua & Barbuda who are currently studying in Beijing.  They included Babu Browne, Anantha O’Dean, Knute James and Jared Nichols. 

The destination was among six Caribbean countries that participated in the event, along with over 55 countries from around the globe. Participation in COTTM was facilitated by the China Business Network however Antigua and Barbuda was unique among the destinations present in that it partnered with its own students who were thrilled at the opportunity presented to them to assist in formally promoting their country in China.

The students who are fluent in Mandarin Chinese were instrumental in attracting large crowds to the destination’s booth by their ability to easily interact with Chinese speaking tour and travel operators. Members of the Chinese travel trade showed a voracious appetite for every bit of literature, information or promotional item available on the destination including samples of our world famous Susie’s Hot Sauce and the country’s English Harbour Rum.

The recent unprecedented growth in the Chinese economy and increasing affluence has seen the emergence of a niche market of wealthy Chinese leisure tourists that are travelling in greater numbers and willing to explore new cultures and experiences. Chinese tourists made up 6% of the world’s outbound traveller’s in 2009 and this figure is projected to reach 100 million travellers per year by 2020.  The success of Jamaica’s Usain Bolt in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games has also helped to put a positive spotlight on the entire Caribbean region. 

CEO Colin James said “our main objective at COTTM was to meet specifically with the outbound Chinese travel trade, to better understand the needs of this emerging market, and to position our destination foremost in the minds of the industry so that we take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves.” 

“The growth of China as an economic power house means that it is makes for good business sense to lay the foundations for a tourism  investment that will bear fruit in the future” James added.
During the three day show James participated in radio and television interviews with a wide array of Chinese media including CCTV, TTG China and China Radio International. Antigua and Barbuda’s presence was reinforced by a destination presentation delivered by Cherrie Osborne to key members of the Chinese media and major stakeholders in the outbound Tourism Travel Trade.


Antigua and Barbuda students in China lend full support during Antigua's participation at COTTM

CEO of ABTA Colin C. James provides journalist with destination update