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Antigua launches new honeymoon registry during romance month

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The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has unveiled its new honeymoon registry, which is expected to target the growing weddings and honeymoon market. With some of the world’s most romantic and secluded locations, Antigua and Barbuda provides the ultimate setting for dream weddings and honeymoons with all the facilities and expertise available to ensure you that your wedding and/or honeymoon is seamless and stress-free. There is no better place to say “I do” to the one you love than in Antigua and Barbuda, voted the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination for the fourth time in a row by the World Travel Awards.

Browsing through the island destination’s honeymoon registry reveals a host of suggestions on all the wonderful experiences that friends and family can purchase as a wedding gift. Registry items include hotel stays, spa treatments and romantic excursions. Married and engaged couples can create their own remarkable honeymoon registry and dedicated wedding website and be on their way to the honeymoon of their dreams in Antigua & Barbuda. The registry is FREE to set up and there is a toll-free Customer Service number to help couples and their guests with any questions or concerns regarding purchases.


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Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism & Investment, Hon. Charles “Max” Fernandez welcomed the launch of the new honeymoon registry, which reaffirms the destination’s commitment and appeal as the ideal destination for today’s discerning couple. “June is Romance Month here in Antigua and Barbuda and we’re excited at the opportunity this new honeymoon registry will bring to the destination. Not only does the registry give couples more options to experience Antigua and Barbuda, but we expect that this platform will also act as a promotional tool that will also attract family and friends to the destination,” notes Fernandez.

“For our service providers and small business operators in Antigua and Barbuda, the honeymoon registry is an excellent tool, allowing them to easily place their products at the front-of-mind of couples actively searching for destination experiences to book, which will ultimately lead to increased on-island spend.”

Antigua & Barbuda ranks among the world’s top ten destinations for weddings and honeymoons and one of its biggest appeal is that getting married in Antigua & Barbuda is easy. There is no waiting period or residency requirements for a wedding license to be issued and an array of wedding planners can make that special day relaxing, refreshing and hassle-free. The establishment of an official honeymoon registry makes it even easier for couples to capitalize on all the unique experiences and offerings available in Antigua and Barbuda.

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ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Voted the World Travel Awards  Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination, the twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 17 mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere.  Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at visitantiguabarbuda.com and follow on: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT: Maria Blackman, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601, E: maria.blackman@visitaandb.com

Seychelles Tourism Board attending ILTM Asia-Pacific Fair

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) participated in the ILTM Asia – Pacific trade fair with a 4.5 sq. metres stand. The exhibition was held in Singapore from May 27, 2019 to May 30, 2019 at Marina Bay Sand.

Mrs. Amia Jovanovic Desir, the Director for India, South Korea, Australia and South East Asia attended the exhibition on STB’s behalf and Mrs. Elsie Sinon, the Senior Marketing Executive for these territories, accompanied her.

The concept of the fair comprised of pre-planned appointments and meetings. Several agents representing potential tour operating partners to discuss and conduct business. This year 573 companies combined with 540 international buyers participated in the exhibition.

The exhibition was inaugurated May 27, with a series of activities, which kicked off a panel discussion including some tourism-marketing experts as guest speakers, such as Dr Praga Khanna-who is a leading strategy advisor- and Ms Catherine Feliciano-Chon, Founder and Managing Director of CatchOn- marketing expert who is regarded as one of Asia’s leading executives.

In the ultimate aim of keeping the tourism trade participating exhibitors abreast of the continuous changes in the requirements of the travel trend.

Additionally, great emphasis was placed on the rise in the millionaire segment across South East Asia, which would be an advantage for destinations searching for new growth in both figures and revenue. Participants present were given marketing tips on how to connect and reach this specific and particular segment.

During the fair, which was spread over three days the STB team had 60 scheduled appointments including ad-hoc requests for meetings from tour operators were conducted. The agents met through the meetings were from a cross section market, which included Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan and UK.

The various meetings pointed out that some destinations had reached saturation point or Deja Vu and influencing the demands from clients for new destinations to explore. Seychelles demarcates itself as a destination of choice, which matches their demand and interest.

Information gathered from the meetings pointed out that the destination’s lush vegetation and the different island characteristics, has an added value for the agent’s clientele base.

The visitors are looking for exotic high-end resorts. Through the detailed presentation presented to them, they were reassured of the wide range of products and attractions that Seychelles has to offer to such visitors’ segments.

From the meetings held with the agents, the STB team is looking at redefining its strategy including slowly developing some of the markets in South East Asia identified as having high potential for growth.

Mrs. Amia Jovanovic Desir, the Director for India, South Korea, Australia and South East Asia expressed her appreciation towards the various trade partners on the Asian continent.

“As a small destination with limited resources, we rely greatly on the support and trust of our local partners to join us on some of the promotional events which we organise in these territories. We believe that there are potential results to be acquired from penetrating this market region. The agents are thirsty for information about our island. We need to be patient and put some trust in the market. That is why we encourage continuously training of agents, which we believe is of paramount importance if we want to keep Seychelles visible and in the mind of the consumers on some of the markets. We need time to develop the market and to build the trust and a strong relationship with the agents,” said Mrs. Amia Jovanovic Desir.

All the agents were given general brochures of the destination, as well as a copy of the list of the local Destination Management Companies, DMCs and a Seychelles brand token as souvenir.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles shines in all splendor as Indian Ocean’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2019 in Mauritius

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The continuous efforts of the destination in matters of ecology is once again saluted by the international tourism industry as Seychelles is crowned Indian Ocean’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination 2019 at the 26th Edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA)  held at the Sugar Beach- A Sun Resort in Mauritius on Saturday June 1, 2019. 

The World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean was held in a grandiose ceremony bringing together several hundred leading figureheads in the tourism industry in the African and Indian Ocean Region including Seychelles representatives Minister Didier Dogley, Minister for Tourism Civil Aviation Ports and Marine, Principal Secretary for Tourism; Mrs. Anne Lafortune and Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive; Mrs. Sherin Francis.

The STB Chief Executive, Mrs. Francis received the prestigious award on behalf of the destination celebrating the destination’s active investment towards the environment. The WTA’s founder Graham E. Cooke was also present for the ceremony.  In view of the Seychelles’ active work towards environmental protection, the destination topped the list ahead of Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius and Reunion.

Speaking of the honor of receiving the award, Mrs. Francis reiterated that Seychelles’ would remain a pioneer in conservation.

“As a destination we are proud to be an example to the world, it is rewarding to know that our efforts contribute immensely in the protection of some of the most endangered species and their habitats. This award goes to all the people including environmentalists, NGOs, partners, lovers of nature who work effortlessly towards keeping our islands in a pristine state,” said Mrs. Francis.

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles among Best Honeymoon Destinations 2019 in Spain

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It is in a special ceremony held in Madrid earlier this May, that Grandvoyage.com travel agency delivered their awards to the best tourist destinations of 2019, which featured Seychelles nominated as best honeymoon destination.

For this first edition were selected four categories: Best big trip; Best emerging destination; Best honeymoon destination and Best resort, with six nominees per category.

A total of 11 countries were represented at the ceremony, which was attended by representatives and ambassadors of the different countries nominated, Seychelles was represented by the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Senior Marketing Executive based in Madrid, Gonzalez LLinás.

During the event, the cultural and tourist wealth of the different destinations were highlighted and each countries efforts for offering quality experience to travellers were rewarded.

The aspiration of GrandVoyage.com has been to focus on the demands of the traveller and as such ranking of this first edition has been a joint selection of the traveller’s choice and the jury votes.

The jury members consisted of prominent travel trade specialists including Pepa García- travel journalist, coordinator of Etheria Magazine and PhD Tourism Journalism, Álvaro Laforet- traveller, journalist and photographer collaborator in The New York Times, El Periódico, El Economista y Cope, Carol Peña (Miss Hedwig)- travel influencer. Oliver Vegas (Ovunno) – travel and lifestyle photographer and Arvin Abarca- CEO of Grandvoyage.com travel agency.

Seychelles landed the runner-up position, in the Best Honeymoon Destination category as it followed the Maldives and preceded Bali. The category also included Cuba, Thailand and Kenya and Tanzania, which reached the final round.

Speaking of latest achievement for the destination, Mrs.  Bernadette Willemin, STB Regional Director for Europe mentioned that this award reflects the hard work put by the STB team to sell Seychelles as a destination and the efforts of the tourism trade partners in Seychelles to uphold the promise of paradise.

“It remains a great opportunity for Seychelles as a destination to be placed on big platforms as Grandvoyage.com. This award not only confirms the jury’s impression of the destination but also our visitor’s endorsement that Seychelles is one of the best destinations there is in the world,” said Mrs. Willemin.

Formed in 2012 by Arvin Abarca, Grandvoyage.com aims at providing continuity to this platform to guide travellers on the best Great Travel destinations, as well as facilitate the process with personalized packages and recommendations through experts in each of the Destinations. At present has more than 15,000 satisfied travellers who endorse the brand as the largest online specialist in large trips in Spain.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Jamaica successful in bid to chair UNWTO’s Regional Commission for the Americas

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Jamaica was yesterday selected to chair the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Regional Commission for the Americas (CAM) for the biennium 2019-2021.

“Jamaica graciously accepts the position of Chairman for the Regional Commission of the Americas and thanks the members for the confidence which has been demonstrated. This is the first time in our history that anyone in the Caribbean has been appointed Chairman of this commission,” said the Minister.

The elections for the Chairmanship of CAM were held during the organization’s 64th Meeting in Guatemala.

Since 1975, Jamaica has served as Vice-President of the General Assembly on five occasions over the period 1987 – 2011, and has been re-elected twice as a member of the Executive Council, serving as second Vice-Chair in 2012, 1st Vice Chair in 2013 and eventually serving as Chairman of the Executive Council for the period 2014-2015.

In his acceptance speech, the Minister shared that “Jamaica firmly believes that the tourism sector is one that should always be guided by sound policies and has over the years worked assiduously to ensure that this is achieved at both the domestic and international levels.

Jamaica also underscores it commitment to enhancing the capacity of the Americas to plan for and manage a range of global shocks and disruptions that can be destabilizing to the tourism sector.”

He then invited the participation of member countries in the ‘first of its kind’ Global Resilience and Crisis Management Centre which is based at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.

The Regional Commissions meet once a year to allow Member States to maintain ‎contact with each other and with the UNWTO Secretariat between sessions of the bi-annual General ‎Assembly.

While in Guatemala, the Minister and his delegation will also participate in the International Seminar on Destination Management, which is taking place under the theme ‘New Challenges, New Solutions.’

The Seminar will discuss current challenges and opportunities facing destination management at national and local levels, including the changing role of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and the development of smart destinations.

The Minister is accompanied by Miss Kerry Chambers, Senior Director, Policy and Monitoring who will provide technical support. The team will return to the island on May 18, 2019.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944