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Newsletter 51 -

16th March 2016





 

Advancing Hospitality through Tourism Alliances
Photo: Cocobay

Antiguan Dream

With lush views and clear water, Antigua is a prototypical island paradise. However, it also has a unique culture all its own

- See more at: http://www.lipulse.com/trends/article/antiguan-dream#sthash.jmTT3ekQ.dpuf
AHTA News
Showcase Antigua Barbuda - Saturday May 21st 2016
The Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association (AHTA) in collaboration with the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) would like to invite you to the third annual “SHOWCASE ANTIGUA BARBUDA”  to be held on Saturday the 21st May 2016 at the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa. This event provides one full day of pre-scheduled appointment sessions and activities where wholesalers and tour operators from all our key source markets can meet and conduct business with regional suppliers in the tourism industry.
The ABTA will be bringing in product managers from tour operators in the UK and Europe and we have also invited most of the major tour operators in North America as well all the major OTAs.
We have changed the registration process this year reverting to an electronic online appointment scheduling system. To register please click here and follow the simple instructions. Your booth registration will now include two delegates. For those properties that have two distinct marketing teams for Europe and North America we have introduced a package that allows two booths and two schedules of appointments and includes four delegates. Full details can be found on the registration form or on our website

If you should have any questions please do not hesitate in contacting the AHTA office.
Antigua and Barbuda regains destination of choice status among US travelers
2016 Set to Be Record Year with Double Digit Growth and Strong Forward Bookings
The twin islands of Antigua and Barbuda are celebrating the successful growth of their US Tourism market that has shown remarkable double-digit growth in the previous three months with incredibly strong forward bookings. The U.S. remains Antigua and Barbuda’s lead market with total arrivals for 2015 YTD at 94,617. These positive results are due to the combination of an aggressive North American Sales & Marketing Road Show in the latter half of 2015, a strategic marketing and advertising campaign, a 14% increase in airlift with the launch of JetBlue New York to Antigua non-stop service, and having some of the lowest fares available to the Caribbean. The resulting increase in awareness and visibility of Antigua and Barbuda, with new flight options, properties for every price point and desire, over 127 activities to choose from and 365 beaches, has resulted in Americans falling for the twin islands. Full story here
Antigua and Barbuda targets Martiniquan tourists
Antigua and Barbuda was represented regionally this weekend at the 18th Annual Salon du Voyages & des Vacances, held in Fort de France Martinique, by Regional Marketing Manager at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Mrs. Charmaine Spencer and Mrs. Dulcie Looby-Greene, Compliance & Accommodations Officer in the Ministry of Tourism.
The three day event which saw over 25,000 potential visitors passing through its doors from Friday through Sunday, is one of the busiest travel trade shows in the Caribbean. Full story here
Kennedy's Club launches "Learning for Life" programme
Kennedy’s Club Limited, in partnership with Diageo International, recently launched another phase of the ‘Learning for Life’ programme. Beginning on March 11th, 25 young men and women, currently unemployed, will participate in the 12-week initiative. They will receive training in bar-tending. The official launch took place at the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI) located at Dutchman’s Bay. The hospitality institution will also be the training site for the participants. Full story here
Statistics
Recently loaded onto the statistics page of our website are
1) Hotel Occupancy figures for February 2016
2) Air Arrivals for February 2015
3) Year in Review 2015
Training Update
 
Social Media Marketing for Tourism
The use of Social media has become an integral part of any marketing campaign. On April 4th we are an offering a full day workshop facilitated by Adriana Serna, Director of Communications for the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) that will demystify the use of the various social media platforms.
The workshop will be held at the ABHTI and the cost is EC$400.00 for AHTA members and EC$500.00 for non members.
Interested persons should contact Anthea Watkins at the AHTA office.
Wedding Planner & Coordinator Certification Course

We are bringing back our Wedding Coordinator Certification two day workshop from April 12th to 13th. This two day event will teach you how to be a successful wedding planner. We have partnered with a very credible, and reputable organization called the The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada Inc www.wpic.ca . This course will be facilitated by Ms Sue Morris, certified wedding specialist, and will start from 9 – 5pm (both days) at the Antigua Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute. This certification program has a cost, but we have received a discounted rate that can only be given through our Association.  Please see the attached registration form.  Our fees are EC$1500 members, and EC$1750.00 for non-members. 
Your fee includes the following: course instructions, course manual, notepad, pen, examinations, certificate, tea, coffee, refreshments and three course lunch. Please click on this link for the course curriculum: http://wpic.ca/courses-offered/certificate-in-wedding-planning-and-coordination/  
Full payment must be made to ensure your confirmation and can be done with credit card, debit card, cheque or cash. Cheques should be written to the AHTA   

 
For information on any of our training programmes please contact Anthea in the AHTA office.
New AHTA Member
Antigua Commercial Bank

Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB) was incorporated in 1955, and is the country’s first indigenous bank and public company. ACB is well known for its role in assisting local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Its subsidiary, ACB Mortgage and Trust Company Ltd., is the largest indigenous provider of mortgage financing on the island.  ACB aims “to be the leading financial services provider by exceeding our stakeholders’ expectations through exemplary service, innovative products and adapting to an ever-changing environment”.
The Bank operates two (2) branches and two (2) agencies and has eight (8) Automated Teller Machines, the largest network of ATM’s on the island.  ACB has a staff complement of one hundred and eight (108), and is one of the largest indigenous commercial banks in Antigua & Barbuda,
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Copyright © 2016 Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Island House. Newgate Street
PO Box 454
St John's
Antigua
Tel: (268) 462.0374 Fax: (268) 462.3702
E-mail: ahta@candw.ag

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