Saturday, June 22, 2024
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Hon. Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, along with Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), led a vibrant delegation of Antigua and Barbuda tourism executives at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York City. Their active engagement in various forums, including critical discussions on inter-Caribbean air service, the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the travel industry, and interactions with journalists at the Caribbean Media Marketplace organized by the CTO, significantly contributed to the event’s success.
The ABTA made a notable impression during the week by launching a new CTO initiative, the Women’s Empowerment breakfast meeting, demonstrating ABTA’s strong commitment to gender equality and recognizing women’s significant contributions to the travel industry. Sponsored by ABTA, this event offered an exclusive platform for women attending Caribbean Week. CEO James opened the meeting with a prayer, and Minister Fernandez delivered inspiring remarks, encouraging the women to embrace their influence, foster collaboration, and lead with purpose and passion. The women’s empowerment meeting emerged as a highlight of the week, with ABTA firmly dedicated to continuing this empowering initiative.
CEO James was commanding with his television interview, a live broadcast on WPIX 11, the leading television station in the tri-state area. During the broadcast, CEO James stated, “Our twin island of Antigua and Barbuda is famous for its 365 beaches, but as our tagline says, the beach is just the beginning. There are countless activities to enjoy year-round, from art festivals and sailing regattas to romantic vacations and gastronomy festivals, so we invite you and your audience to visit and discover a vacation experience that will satisfy even the most discerning traveler.”
Minister Fernandez’s interview, featuring Antiguan Chef Claude Lewis who prepared a seafood salad with Black Pineapple, reached an audience of 3 million viewers, effectively promoting the destination to a broader audience.
The ABTA also hosted a dinner meeting for twelve respected journalists from prominent publications, including the New York Times, Travel & Leisure, Forbes, USA Today, and Food & Wine. During the dinner, CEO James engaged in a lively discussion about recent developments in the tourism sector. At the same time, Minister Fernandez expressed heartfelt gratitude to the media for their invaluable and ongoing support, saying, “In today’s world, where travelers receive information from multiple sources, it’s crucial to have established and respected platforms like yours to rely on for accurate and informative content. Your efforts have significantly contributed to the increase in visitor arrivals, which we are currently enjoying.’ He concluded, “On behalf of my tourism industry partners and the people of Antigua and Barbuda, who depend on tourism for their livelihood, I extend my heartfelt thanks to you.”
The ABTA team included USA Director Dean Fenton, Marketing Communications Executive Arah Robins, Senior Digital Marketing Manager Abena Merchant, and Digital Media Manager Sharifa George.
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