World News | forimmediaterelease.net

... press releases & Breaking World News

Antigua and Barbuda celebrate tourism heroes at Black Pineapple Awards

by

Antigua and Barbuda celebrated the success of a record-breaking year in Tourism by hosting the inaugural annual Black Pineapple Awards Ceremony in New York on Wednesday, December 4th. The Black Pineapple Awards – eponymous to the Black Pineapple that is only found in Antigua – were created solely to honor the partners, tour operators, resorts, travel agents and media, who have diligently and tirelessly worked to promote Antigua and Barbuda. The Black Pineapple Awards, held at Sarabeth’s Park Avenue South, was hosted by the US Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) led by Director of Tourism, Dean Fenton and special guest, ABTA CEO, Colin C. James. The evening celebrated 40 partners who played a key role in helping the twin-island nation reach record-breaking numbers of visitors in 2019.

ABTA CEO, Colin C. James shared the importance of the awards, “I am incredibly proud of the record-breaking tourism arrivals Antigua and Barbuda have seen this past year – none of which would be possible without our incredible partners across the industry. We have been lucky enough to see consecutive years of tourism growth, and our vision is continue this growth and become the premiere destination not just in the Caribbean but in the world. We know we will only achieve this with the help of our partners and friends. The Black Pineapple Awards offer us a unique opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to everyone and celebrate our wins together.” 


eTN Chatroom for Readers (join us)

With over 150 attendees at the invite-only Awards, guests were treated to celebratory cocktails and dinner, with live music and dancing as entertainment. In addition, guests were provided hand massages and private consultations from Aveda Spa sponsored by Antigua’s Sugar Ridge Resort, which features the only Aveda Spa in the Caribbean. Guests left with gift bags carrying Aveda products, Antigua and Barbuda branded gifts, and the opportunity to be awarded a $1,000 social media campaign prize from ABTA’s business partner: Sugar Mill Estate. Every guest left talking about Antigua and Barbuda, armed with further information of why the twin islands are the hottest destination of the Caribbean.

Dean Fenton, ABTA US Director of Tourism, explained why the team launched the annual awards, saying “The tremendous achievements Antigua and Barbuda has seen would not be possible without the support of our partners who represent the highest standard of excellence in the travel industry. The bonds between our islands and travel partners empowers us to grow stronger – both in the US market and abroad. The Black Pineapple Awards allow us to express how grateful we are to awardees and guests for their tireless dedication and work in positively promoting our twin-island nation. We are excited about ending the year on a strong note and look forward to beginning the new decade on an even higher one.”

Awardees: Lynn Miller – AAA, Iris Citron – Alice Travel, Linda Clark – Alice Travel, Mary Delello – All About Travel, Amy Hiles – All Inclusive Outlet, Lynn Minard – Altour, Roberta Diaz – Apple Leisure Group, Tom Nero & Team – Avenue Travel, Dawn Anderson – Beaches And Beyond Travel, Anna Wells – Blue Waters, Gary Randall – Blue Waters, Robert Papkin – Bob’s Ultimate Travel, Mandy Cameron – Carlisle Bay, Carolyn Waffle – Carolyn Waffle Certified Travel, Feona Bailey – Catamaran Resort & Spa, Verna Hartlove – Charm City Travel, Kandi Edelstein – CI Travel American Express, Lilliana Musmanno – Classic Vacations, Andrew Michellin – Cocos Hotel, Patricia Cooney – Concierge Travel, Robert Sherman – Curtain Bluff, Wendy Eardley – Curtain Bluff, Brianna Kastukevich – Custom Travel, Michelle Thurston – Destinations Weddings Travel, Mark Hennigan – Dreamers Travel, Rod Hinds – Elite Island Resorts, Sherrie Ault – Elite Island Resorts, Susan Hammond – Endless Travel, Kerri Brewster – Escapes Unlimited, Ted Friedli & Team – Excel Travel, Susan Jeske – Finding Paradise With Sue & Travel Wize, Lindsey Taylor – Flight Centre Travel Group, Carol Rice – Frosch Mann Travels, Lian Alston – Generation Al Travel, Heather Travis – Globe Getaways, Natalie Faggianelli – Gramatan Travel, Donna Borrelli – Hamden Travel, Andy Thesen – Hermitage Bay, Karen Bull – Hermitage Bay, Andrea Wolter – Intoxicating Travel Group, Jodi Lubin – Island Destinations, Kim Sheer-Goldstein – Journey’s Inc., Beth Mollo – Largay Travel, Bill Lynch – Largay Travel, Molly Sumption – Molly’s Caribbean, Jill Smith – Moonlight Travel, Ian Fraser – Nonsuch Bay Resort & Spa, Jim Marino – Oyster Bay Travel, Annie Davis – Palm Beach Travel/Altour, Alison Turner – Powell Travel And Tours, Vivian Gringer – Power Travel, Katherine Schweiger – Prestige Travel Group, Kimberly Jacoby – Romantics Travel, Ruby Stanfield & Team – Rubys Travel, Elisabeth “Lili” Richter – Saddle River Travel Service, Alice Mccalla – Sandals, Gen Edwards – Sharp Travel Int’l, Janet Haber – Simplicity Travel, Debbie Ryan – Springhouse Travel, Roseann Freeman – Spring House Travel, Vernon Jeffers – Sugar Ridge Resort & Spa, Susan Peavey – Susan Peavey Travel, Rufus Gobat – Tamarind Hills Resort & Spa, Heather Coyle – The Journey Group, Sally Jane – Smith & Team- The Travel Smiths, Susan Coulton – Travel Dreams Unlimited, Cookie Carney – Travel Experts, Heather Howard DiPietro – Travel Sales Group, Paula McCarty- Travel Smart With Paula, Marianna Darie – Traveling With Marianna, Leslie Kepplinger – Trips Ahoy, Karen Cavadas – Twinsburg Travel & Cruise, Howard Kaplin – Tzell Travel, Marilyn Pires – Tzell Travel, Barry Posner – Ultimate Vacations & Honeymoons, Lila Nicholas – Uniglobe Travel, Jennifer Doncsecz & Team – Vacations By VIP, Jacqueline Cort-Thomas – Villas At Sunset Lane, Brenda Oneale – With This Ring Destination, Devin Joseph – Yacht Club.

GOT NEWS? click here

possible to reach millions worldwide
Google News, Bing News, Yahoo News, 200+ publications

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 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 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: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on Twitter. http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda  Facebook www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda

Antigua and Barbuda celebrate tourism heroes at Black Pineapple Awards
ABTA Director of Tourism, Dean Fenton, Anna Wells from Antigua’s Blue Waters Resort & Spa and ABTA CEO, Colin C. James
Antigua and Barbuda celebrate tourism heroes at Black Pineapple Awards
The Black Pineapple Awards
Antigua and Barbuda celebrate tourism heroes at Black Pineapple Awards
Guests at Antigua & Barbuda’s inaugural Black Pineapple Awards
Antigua and Barbuda celebrate tourism heroes at Black Pineapple Awards
Antigua & Barbuda branding at the Black Pineapple Awards

MEDIA CONTACT:

Karen Gillo

PM Group

E: karen.g@pmgroup.bz

M: 646.628.4895

MCB Tour Championship in Seychelles starts off with Pro-Am Competition

by

Following its first leg from Madagascar, the MCB Tour Championship 2019 continues its journey in the Seychelles at Constance Lemuria, Praslin.

The well anticipated competition leg of the Indian Ocean swing will be held on our shores from Thursday December 5, 2019 to Saturday December 7, 2019. 

Warming up for the big day, the 48 professionals golfers have gone around the 18-hole golf course consisting of the Lemuria property which spans over an area of 5,580 metres, teaming up with Seychellois residents for the Pro-Am competition. 

It is under a perfect paradise sun that the day took off with the first tee at 11am, which 24 joyful foursomes, playing under the flag of the various sponsors to the Seychelles MCB Tour Championship event, made their way to the course for 5 hours play approximately.

Last year’s Seychelles winner Roger Chapman teed at the first hole alongside Dominique Bastienne both playing under the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) flag, against Clark Dennis and Captain Guy Adam representing the Constance Hotels and Resorts. 

Present on the course to support the golfers, the STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis mentioned her satisfaction to see the MCB Tour Championship in Seychelles starting off on such a great note. 

“It warms the heart to see that last year’s MCB Tour Championship has created so many beautiful ties. It is definite that professional golfers and amateurs have been looking forward to playing together again.  I believe that the Pro-Am sessions is a great platform for our local golfers to gather the exposure and experience required to improve themselves, “said Mrs. Francis.

At the end of the Pro-Am competition round this Wednesday afternoon, team ISPC including Philip Golding and Jonathan Paul came in first place, scoring -14 points, the runners up were Tim Thelen and Eddie Micock flying the STB Flag with -13 points and were followed by the competition venue host team Constance Hotels and Resorts, represented by Clark Dennis and Captain Guy Adam with -11points.

This year’s competition also saw the remarkable performances of Damien Hoareau and Bridget Weaver as best performers for the Longest Drive Men and Ladies respectively and finally Axel Andrade as best performer on the Nearest the Pin. 

She further commented that this year’s coverage on the Staysure Tour network of the MCB Tour Championship in Seychelles will definitely add on to the destination’s visibility as it places the Constance Lemuria Golf course on the global platform as one of the beautiful in the region.

The best performers were crowned at a special event at the Takamaka Beach Bar at Anse Kerlan.

The MCB Tour Championship in the Seychelles is sponsored by Seychelles Tourism Board, MCB Seychelles, Constance Lemuria, Staysure Tour, ISPC Seychelles, Hugo Boss, Cat Cocos, Takamaka Rum and Seybrew. The tournament, also received the support of local destination management companies Mason’s Travel, Creole Travel Services, 7 Degree South and Summer Rain Tours.

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

Jamaica and Peru Discuss Ways to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica is in discussions with the Government of Peru to collaborate in areas such as destination marketing, gastronomy, sport and tourism resilience.  This is being done to further strengthen bilateral relations between Jamaica and Peru.

The Minister made this announcement during a breakfast meeting in Lima, Peru, earlier today with Peruvian officials and senior representatives from LATAM Airlines.

“Today Jamaica had a very fruitful discussion with officials in Peru about ways we can further strengthen our collaboration with them, now that we are about to welcome our first flight from their country to the Jamaica via LATAM Airlines,” said Minister Bartlett.  

The inaugural LATAM Airlines flight will commence service later today, between Lima, Peru, and Montego Bay, with three flights per week. This will increase the number of flights out of South America to 14, with COPA Airlines currently operating 11 weekly flights between Panama and Jamaica.

“We are very connected with many of the major legacy carriers with access to more than 200 gateways. The good news which comes from this connectivity is that visa arrangements are now different.

So the South Americans who want to come to us no longer have to worry about visas; we have a ‘visa-free regime’ operating with most South American countries, including Peru. This is a good arrangement and I think the timing is right,” said Minister Bartlett.

During the discussions, Minister Bartlett proposed that the two countries consider a joint marketing agreement to promote the destinations.  This arrangement would also include leveraging gastronomy offerings, as well as music and sport.

“We can also consider exploring the experiences of gastronomy of the two nations. We think there is hope for collaboration in gastronomy and for us to expand a range of offerings – perhaps a fusion.  Music and sport are also strong options with football and Reggae music being strong cultural products,” he said.

The Minister added that another critical area that could be considered is a collaboration in areas of tourism resilience and crisis management.  

“We must explore further, building our tourism resilience and innovation. We are agreeing to have the tourism school in Peru collaborating with Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in Kingston, Jamaica,” said the Minister.

The Centre, officially launched in 2018, is tasked with creating, producing and generating toolkits, guidelines and policies to handle the recovery process following a disaster. The centre will also assist with preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods.

Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Hon. Édgar Vásquez Vela welcomed the idea of collaborating with Jamaica.

“This is a stepping point in order to improve and strengthen our bilateral relations; and tourism is a key activity in Jamaica and also should be a key activity in Peru. This is an activity that generates more income from outside Peru,” said Vásquez Vela.

He added, “We have put all our efforts in order to explore and take advantage of all our opportunities. We are working very hard in order to change the situation and put tourism as the first activity, because it is democratic and inclusive. In many cases, you do not need big resources, but good ideas.”

Media contact:

Delano Seiveright

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 876-809-2906

Fax: 906-019

Seychelles to welcome second leg of the MCB Tour Championship Indian Ocean Swing

by

The land of the Coco-de-Mer – Seychelles – will be featured as the second leg of a three-destination competition for the second edition of the destination’s participation at the prestigious regional golf competition, the MCB Tour Championship.

Set to start on Friday, November 29, 2019, to Sunday, December 1, 2019, in Antanarivo in Madagascar, the competition will be returning for a second time to Constance Lemuria on the island of Praslin in Seychelles from Thursday December 5, 2019 to Saturday December 7, 2019.  The season finale will be taking place at Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius from Friday December 13, 2019 to Sunday December 15, 2019.

Forty-eight players including the defending Champion Roger Chapman, his counterparts Clark Dennis and Paul McGinley and other golf celebrities are expected to tee off the Constance Lemuria par-70, 18-hole golf course that spans over an area of 5,580 meters on Thursday December 5, 2019 for 3 days of intense competition in Seychelles.

The Pro-Am, which will be played on Wednesday December 4, 2019, will be composed of 48 teams, each comprising of 1 Professional golfer and 1 Seychelles resident amateur including junior players and lady golfers.

The PRO-AM competition will see the first three teams (net) win prizes and there will also be competitions for the Longest Drive (men), Longest Drive (ladies) and the Nearest-the-Pin.

Speaking about the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles, the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis, expressed her satisfaction that the event has contributed considerably in providing visibility to the destination especially Praslin.

“Since we opened our shores to the MCB Tour Championship last year, it is clear that the visibility received by the destination was worldwide. Our partnership in the event is even more justified today as we see the increase in the number of players for the event implying that the interest for our destination has also increased. We are looking forward to a successful event in Seychelles,” said Mrs. Francis.

She also mentioned that being part of the event is part of STB’s marketing strategies to increase the destination’s visibility and promoting Seychelles as a sports destination.

Mrs. Francis further expressed her profound gratitude to all the local sponsors.

Aside from the title sponsor MCB Seychelles and Constance Lemuria, the MCB Tour Championship is being supported with contributions from the Staysure Tour, the STB, ISPC Seychelles, Hugo Boss, Cat Cocos, Takamaka Rum, and Seybrew, who are actively working towards making the second edition of the golf tournament in Seychelles an enormous success.

Mr. Bernard Jackson, Managing Director, MCB (Seychelles) said: “For the second year running, Seychelles is thrilled to host the pro golfers competing in the European Senior Tour. We celebrate our renewed international visibility on the golfing scene and are delighted that this year Madagascar also gets its share of the limelight with its inclusion in the tour alongside Mauritius and Seychelles. I thank The Seychelles Tourism Board and all the contributing partners for making this event a resounding success”.

Adding to the prestige of Seychelles’ leg is the breath-taking view of the white sandy beach of Anse Georgette, which will not fail to capture the player’s attention.

In view of the safety and security requirements, members of the local organizing committee will be asking for the cooperation of members of the public to refrain from using the footpath accessing to the Anse.

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

Minister Bartlett: Tourism Working Group report to help shape new architecture for subsectors

by

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that findings from the just concluded Tourism Working Group (TWG) report are ready and will be used to help shape a new architecture for the tourism subsectors.

The Tourism Working Group, established in July 2018 and lead by PricewaterhouseCoopers Senior Executive, Wilfred Baghaloo, was set up to review a range of issues within the sector including the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), work permits, ground transportation and entertainment, among others.

The intent of the report is to suggest the way forward for the industry and provide a series of recommendations for strong legislative and policy reforms.

Minister Bartlett, who made the announcement yesterday at a TWG meeting said, “We recognize that global changes in the industry have impacted the business arrangements for some of our indigenous players in various subsectors. The report has highlighted the need for us to retro fit and re-examine our own processes and see how our practices and models are faring against the new disruptive business models.”

The report includes over fifty (50) recommendations that can assist in informing national policies to build stronger partnerships and support for Jamaican businesses.

“Since we established the TWG, there has been several key meetings with foreign and local stakeholders as well as research on other tourism destinations to understand their policy framework.

This is with a view to creating a new architecture that will help build capacity for our suppliers to compete more effectively in an ever changing industry so they can do more and earn more,” added Minister Bartlett.

Co-Chairman of the TWG, Wilfred Baghaloo anticipates that “The next phase of the project will involve consultations among the various ministries and enactment of policies at the local level. Thereafter, there may be meetings with international representatives to discuss the way forward.”

The Minister noted that the findings would be reviewed thoroughly and a number of consultations would take place with relevant stakeholders before the findings are released to the public and any action is taken.

“We are happy that you were able to apply the level of rigour to the investigations which have now concluded with this document. We are excited to peruse it and look carefully on how we can apply some of the recommendations that you have made. We need to have further discussions with stakeholders, because we recognise that it is not going to be a one-glove fit all situation, but we certainly want to fit it right so that we protect the local sector, which is critical to us,” said Minister Bartlett.

He expressed gratitude to the team, which is chaired by Tourism Linkages Council head and Hotelier, Adam Stewart. As well as members such as: Prominent Business leaders, Michael McMorris and Godfrey Dyer; Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), President, Omar Robinson and Senior Executive, Nicola Madden-Greig; President of the Jamaica Cooperative Automobile and Limousine Services (JCAL), Brian Thelwell.

Other members include: Jamaica Vacations, Chairman, Bert Wright; National Craft Traders and Producers Association, President, Melody Haughton-Adams; Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Executive Director, Dr. Andrew Spencer and representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport; Ministry of Labour and Social Security; Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) and the Ministry of Tourism.

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