ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Angela Johnson, feature writer at the Mail on Sunday with her golden ticket which grants her seven nights holiday for two at the Inn at English Harbour.

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s UK Office launched a Summer Gold card, offering visitors to the destination fantastic savings between June and September this year. 

Hilary Modeste, Director of Tourism, UK and Europe, said: “We needed to find an innovative way to market the destination and attract visitors searching for added value.  

This new initiative makes it affordable for families travelling Antigua and Barbuda during the summer to explore our many activities and attractions, and encourages them to venture out beyond the 365 beaches.”

The Summer Gold promotion announced during a media event on Thursday (May 20th) was attended by over fifteen members of the UK press.  This included contributors to The Telegraph newspaper, BBC World’s Fast Track travel programme and Selling Long Haul trade magazine.

The evening kicked off with a buzz, as the journalists became the first to taste the signature Summer Gold cocktail created specifically for the promotion.  On arrival, they received the drink in which Cavalier, Antigua’s Gold Rum, served as a key ingredient.

Going for Gold during Antigua Summer Gold

In a Willy Wonka style twist to the night, guests later dug into a golden treasure chest, in search of the summer gold chocolate bar with the golden ticket that would grant them a seven nights Antigua holiday for two, with accommodation provided courtesy of the exclusive Inn at English Harbour.

The holiday was won by Angella Johnson, features writer at the Mail on Sunday.  The Mail on Sunday is the most read Sunday newspaper in London after the News of the World. In 2009, Johnson, was shortlisted for the very prestigious ‘Feature Writer of the Year’ accolade at the British Press Awards.

UK Travelers to Antigua this summer can take advantage of special summer holiday offers for stays at hotels on island.   Summer Gold card holders will benefit from discounted offers from thirty companies encompassing hotel day passes, diving and helicopter trips, restaurants, excursions, yacht charters and more. 

Card users will receive a personal message from Minister of Tourism, John Maginley inviting them to take advantage of the activities that come highly recommended.

“We are keen that our tourism partners agreed to be part of the promotion and are thrilled to be able to offer these savings to visitors this summer”, said the UK Director. 

The Summer Gold initiative is being heavily supported by The Ministry of Tourism, The Antigua Hotel and Tourist Association, Antigua Nice.com.

The card is valid for use between 1 June and 30 September 2010 for adults aged over 18. 

To stimulate bookings for the summer, agents who book holidays for travel from the UK to Antigua and Barbuda as part of the Summer Gold promotion are being offered the chance to win a spot on an Antigua and Barbuda familiarization trip.

The UK office, will host two Summer Gold FAM trips and one press trip.

Director of Tourism Hillarie Modeste with guests from the Travel Channel and The Food Tripper