Led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism and Investment, Hon. Charles “Max” Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda Government officials are in New York City participating in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week as strategic outreach to consumers, media and travel trade. Caribbean Week is the largest, most engaging regional tourism activity in the US market, and typically attracts thousands of participants.
Minister Fernandez, along with Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s CEO, Mr. Colin James and Tourism Advisor, Ms. Shirlene Nibbs join other Caribbean ministers of tourism and industry executives, media, leaders of the Caribbean Diaspora, travel agents and consumers to celebrate Caribbean tourism and explore opportunities to promote and market tourism from North America and beyond.
The week features various opportunities for leaders to unite as a region in order to leverage combined strengths to further expand the tourism industry on a regional and global scale.
Consumer and trade highlights include the Caribbean Media Marketplace, where the Antigua and Barbuda delegation and New York team interacted with over 100 members of the media, travel trade and digital. Minister Fernandez also updated various leading publications with the positive news Antigua and Barbuda has to share as well the exciting updates for the island including major increased airlift and property openings.
Additional events include high-level events to engage the Caribbean Diaspora; where the opportunities for tourism lie; what members of the Diaspora have to offer; and how the value of the region’s culture and heritage can be augmented for the members of the Diaspora and travel to the region. A successful business meeting the Minister had was with Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner, Angela Bassett. The Emmy winner, fresh off her lead role in the phenomenally successful film, “Black Panther,” was in New York to meet with the Minister and his delegation to explore opportunities to promote Antigua and Barbuda through possible partnerships. The Minister invited Ms. Bassett to visit, which she happily accepted and will do as soon as she completes her current filming schedule.
Minister Fernandez noted: “Caribbean Week provides the perfect opportunity to our target audience: influencers. From media to consumers to leaders in our region to investors, we have engaged and shared the positive story of Antigua and Barbuda, ultimately increasing awareness of our destination. I am confident we will be seeing the positive effects from our participation shortly.”
Mr. James added: “Caribbean Week is an invaluable opportunity to engage with the consumer and trade market from North America and beyond as exemplifies the high level of cooperation to maximize impact and strengthen regional ties. We are confident that through continued collaboration, we will continue to see growth and Antigua and Barbuda will reach another tourism milestone by the end of the year.”
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