ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (June 18, 2019) – With one day to go before ‘Showcase Antigua and Barbuda’, the destination’s leading travel trade show hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association, tourism officials are making final preparations to wow global travel trade partners, during the two-day ‘Showcase Antigua and Barbuda’ event filled with networking and business meetings.

Antigua and Barbuda’s dedicated travel trade business-to-business event, ‘Showcase Antigua and Barbuda’ now in its 6th year will take place on June 19 and June 20, 2019. The event is aimed at increasing business from the destination’s main source markets in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority welcomed groups of tourism buyers from the source markets as they arrived at the V.C. Bird International Airport today.

Over 100 participants are registered, with over 80 suppliers inclusive of excursions, restaurants, hotels and DMCs from Antigua and Barbuda eager to directly engage and sell their products to the more than 50 visiting buyers.

Amongst the buyers are: the Expedia group, Apple Leisure Group Vacations, Booking.com, Tripadvisor Experiences, JetBlue, Air Canada Vacations, British Airways, British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays, Carrier, Kuoni, DNATA, Destinology, Alidays, Glamour Viaggi, Etina, Gastaldia Holidays, Amrals Travel, Contactos, and Viajes Bojoquez.

With the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, presently running a summer campaign ‘#WhatCoolLooksLike’, the 2019 ‘Showcase Antigua and Barbuda’ will be held under the theme “Ready, Set, Cool…’

Tourism partners will be officially welcomed by the Minister of Tourism, The Hon. Charles Fernandez, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin. C. James, new Chairman of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association Vernon Jeffers and other tourism officials, at a welcome cocktail at the newly renovated, historic Clarence House on June 19.  The cocktail will feature local cool treats, exciting entertainment, and fine cuisine.

Business meetings will take place a day later, AT ONE OF Antigua’s newest hotel properties, The Royalton Antigua Resort and Spa, which opened its doors in May, followed by a closing cocktail.

CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin C. James said: “Showcase Antigua Barbuda allows us to wow our travel trade partners, by introducing them to the amazing sights, sounds and tastes of Antigua and Barbuda over a whirlwind two days.”

While in Antigua, the buyers, will also learn about the destination and experience new hotel product and tourism services available in the country. Travel trade media have also been invited from the source markets to cover the event and the destination.