ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

On the heels of the launch of the new American Airlines non-stop service from New York's JFK to Antigua and Barbuda, the US Tourism team hit the road to continue intensive promotions of this new air service.
 
The destination received significant exposure via several media outlets throughout Connecticut at the first Winter FunFest in Hartford on November 19-20, with an intensive promotion of the accommodations, attractions, cuisine, and entertainment. The show, which brought over 10,000 residents to the State capital, coincided with the official start of the Holiday season, which is also the height of the booking season, when many families in New England typically finalize their winter break and spring vacations.
 
The Winter FunFest 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. This region is considered a good prospect for the new American Airlines service since the southwestern part of Connecticut is considered to be a part of the New York metropolitan area and eight counties are commonly grouped in the Tri-State area. Connecticut is listed as having one of the highest per capita income and median household income in the United States.
 
On Saturday morning, Antigua and Barbuda was featured on two segments on FOX CT as the FunFest was broadcast live from the Hartford XL Center.  In the first segment US Director, Derede Samuel-Whitlock promoted the diversity and charm of the destination and described the American Airlines service as providing "Access to Paradise without the layover."
 
In the second segment, Culinary Ambassador, Chef Murphy was featured on the Cooking Stage. Chef Murphy prepared a number of dishes to demonstrate how families can bring a little bit of Antigua and Barbuda to their Thanksgiving tables.
 
Murphy demonstrated how the destination's national fruit, the black pineapple could be used in the turkey stuffing and how lobster and other seafood could bring some Caribbean flavor to the Thanksgiving theme. At the end of the segment, Murphy presented FOX show host Sarah Cody with a copy of the cookbook Table Manners. This mega publication by the publishers of the Food and Drink Guide, provides a culinary review of hospitality in Antigua and Barbuda and features a variety of entrees from top chefs throughout the destination.

Audience members, including celebrity chefs, connoisseurs, food writers, and critics stopped by for samplings of Murphy's culinary delights that utilized local Antiguan and Barbudan products, Susie's Hot Sauce and English Harbour Rum, as well as local herbs, spices, and produce.

Antigua and Barbuda partnered with Pro Travel, a Connecticut-based travel agency, one of the top producers for the destination in the new England area. Travel agent, Beth Mollo promoted several travel packages and "show only" specials and was able to generate instant bookings and hundreds of leads from potential visitors. A prize trip giveaway for a three-night stay at the Nonsuch Bay also attracted many show attendees to the Antigua and Barbuda booth.

Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica were the only destinations promoted at the Winter FunFest among an array of distinctive lifestyle exhibits, including major restaurant chains, excursions, wellness retreats, culinary showcases, and other attractions.