No.10/2009 - 13th July, 2009

 

In this edition
Sales Trip to Trinidad and Barbados  
 
Join the AHTA for the Opening of Carnival
 
Virgin Fares for WTM
 
UK Tradeshows
 
MangoMenu 2009
 
BA & Virgin's Winter Schedules
 
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New Members
  
- Columbian Emeralds
 
- Island Gems Antigua
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On the Move
  
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Average Hotel occupancies 2009 & 2008
 
                         2009            2008
January -    62.4%  -     74.1%
February -   73.9% -     81.1%
March -         69.3% -    72.7%
April -            60.4% -    72.4%
May -              54.7% -   63.7% 
June -             57.3%  -  51.0%

2008
July - 58.2%
August - 57.8%
September - 42.1%
October - 50.9%
November - 63.8%
December - 58.1%
Total year 2008 - 63.1%
 
 
For more detailed information
click here
 
For the latest CTO statistics on international arrivals to the Caribbean for 2009
click here.
(last update June 23rd)
 
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Summer 2009 Closures
 
Admirals Inn - 2nd June - 14th November
Blue Waters - 30th August - 10th October
Carlisle Bay - 29th August - 17th October
Copper & Lumber - 15th August - 15th October
Curtain Bluff - 31st July - 31st October
Hermitage Bay - 6th September - 5th October
Galleon Beach - 1st June - 24th October
Long Bay - 1st September - 12th October
The Inn - 7th June - 1st November
 
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 Upcoming Events
    
FTO/MOT Transportation Seminar
23rd July
 
FTO/MOT Safety and Security Seminar
24th July
 
25th July to 4th August
 
Christian Valley Mango Festival 2009 -
15th & 16th August
 
TOP RESA - Paris
22nd - 25th September
 
Small Hotels Retreat - Saint Thomas
30th September - 2nd October
 
World Travel Market - Excel, London
9th - 12th November
 
Marketplace 2010 - San Juan
10th - 12th January
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is at your service to help you fill those vacant positions. At no cost we will post any vacant positions to the website.
 
Just send in the details to the AHTA Office
 
       
Welcome to the Newsletter of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association.  
 
Sales trip to Trinidad and Barbados
Last week Anthea Watkins of the AHTA along with our member properties, Carlisle Bay and Rex Resorts, went down to Trinidad and Barbados to visit the local travel agencies and tour operators to promote our Sizzling Summer Specials. The group of three, Anthea, Maria Douglas of Carlisle Bay and Ornella Nedd of Rex Resort visited a total of 22 travel agencies in Port of Spain over a period of two days. The reception received from the Trinidad agents and tour operators was very positive and they were pleased to see that Antigua was being marketed as a destination in their country. Many agents suggested that the group follow-up with a Trade Show in Trinidad as soon as possible with other key stakeholders participating.

The three ladies subsequently visited Barbados on their final leg of the tour, interacting with 15 travel agencies before returning to Antigua. In Barbados, the overall consensus was that there was a demand for Antigua as a destination but their clients' major concern was the airfare. The Barbados agents expressed interest in receiving more information, promotional materials and rates from the AHTA member hotels.
 
The AHTA will be shortly going to Saint Lucia to spread the word further about our Sizzling Summer Specials.

If you should want any more information or details of the agencies that were visited please contact Anthea in the office.
Come join the AHTA for the Opening Carnival 2009
Bring your employees, bring your guests, come join the AHTA t-shirt Mas in the Opening of Carnival Parade on Saturday July 25th.
 
All members are invited to join in the opening of Antigua's 52nd Carnival. The parade starts at 2pm and will pass through the streets of St John's. The cost is EC$30.00 per person. Hotels having several persons joining the parade may have their t-shirts personalized with their logo.

With over 150 persons commited to the group already this should be a lot of fun. Call the AHTA Office right away so that you do not miss out.
Virgin Fares for WTM
Virgin Atlantic Airways is once again pleased to offer special fares for World Travel Market in London. These fares are valid for travel ex Barbados, Antigua, Grenada, St. Lucia, Tobago and Jamaica.

UPPER CLASS USD 1000.00 & USD 2500.00 Please note there are two fare levels for upper class this year in order to facilitate more availability.

PREMIUM ECONOMY USD 700.00

ECONOMY USD 500.00

The above fares are not inclusive of Taxes. All requests must be made in writing to the Barbados Sales Office on company headed paper. These fares are valid for travel commencing from 01 November, 2008. All travel must be completed by 30 November, 2009. The fare is valid for payment on/before 20 October, 2009 from the sales office in Barbados only and immediate payment after making reservations.

      

   

UK Tradeshows in the coming months

Over the coming months the ABTA in the UK plan to attend the following Tradeshows.
  

19th -20th September - Scottish Wedding Show - Glasgow SECC

9th - 11th October - National Wedding Show - Birmingham NEC

9th - 12th November - World Travel Market - London Excel

12th - 17th January - Vakantiebeurs - Utrech, Netherlands

15th - 17th January - The Holiday & Travel Show - Manchester

23rd - 25th January - Holiday World - Dublin

4th - 7th February - Destinations - London Earls Court

6th - 7th February - The UK Wedding show - London Excel

If anyone is interested in participating in any of these shows or has material that they would like distributed, please contact the London office of the ABTA.
MangoMenu 2009 Update
 
 
The Magic MangoMenu 2009 will be held on August 8th at the Antigua & Barbuda Hotel Training Institute, Dutchman's Bay. This year the competition will be using the students Demo Kitchen and Bar which is the  first building on your left as you come through the gates. 

The organizers are most pleased that so far 26 chefs have registered this year, compared to 11 last year. Also 16 bartenders have entered the competition, compared to 6 last year. This is the best year ever, since the first event in 2006.

The Hotels and Restaurants that are represented are: Hermitage Bay, Jumby Bay, Carlisle Bay, The Beach Restaurant, Blue Waters Hotel, Trade Winds Bay House, Sticky Wicket Restaurant, Galley Bay, Sandals (bar only), and Jolly Beach (bar only.)

The competitions will start at 8.30 sharp, as only 6 chefs and 2 bartenders can be working at the same time.

This year spectators will be able to come and watch the chefs at work. The organizers are encouraging all to come and admire the culinary talent on show. In addition to being able to view the finished entries and meet the contestants, there will be cooking demonstrations (including tasting) under tents on the lawn, given by senior chefs who are NOT competing in Mango Menu.

Mama Lolly's and Valerie Hodge of Shirley Heights Lookout will be offering light lunch items for sale, and Christian Valley will be selling fresh mangoes and pineapples to take home. 

Come show your support to our young chefs and give them your encouragements.
 
 
 
Virgin & BA schedules for next Winter
 
The two major carriers serving Antigua from the UK have announced their schedules for next winter/
 
British Airways
Seven flights per week
Monday & Thursday shared with Punta Cana
Tuesday & Friday shared with Grenada
Wednesday & Sunday shared with Tobago
Saturday shared with St Kitts
 
Virgin Atlantic
Three flights per week
Wednesday - LGW - ANU - LGW
Friday - LGW - BGI - ANU - BGI - LGW
Saturday - LGW - ANU - SJU - ANU - LGW
 
Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association
PO Box 454, Island House, Newgate Street
St John's
Antigua
 E-mail: neil@antiguahotels.org
http://www.antiguahotels.org