Fenton was joined by Derede Samuel-Whitlock, Director of Tourism in the US, Neil Forrester, General Manager of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association (AHTA) and representatives from Elite Islands Resorts, Jolly Beach, The Beach House and Rex Resorts. The team worked closely with Liberty GoGo, Classic Vacations and CTO Chapters in these major cities to solicit top agents to attend this series of destination sponsored dinners. The program attracted approximately 400 travel agents.
  
According to Dean Fenton, Tourism Officer “The main goal of this promotional initiative was to connect with strategic partners to help broaden awareness about all of the new developments that are going on in Antigua and Barbuda and some of the exciting adventures that the destination has to offer.” 

Fenton who has primary responsibility for Sales throughout the United States indicated that the Tourism Team has recently revamped its sales and marketing collateral and has placed a high priority on the development of stronger relations with travel agents and travel partners.  “Through these road shows and familiarization trips we have been able to update our databases with a significant number of new leads.  We are also working on identifying a list of 300 ‘Platinum Partners.’  This will comprise agents that we will work with very closely on a variety of promotional programs throughout the year.”

The US Office is also working closely with the AHTA to develop an on-line Travel Agent Education and Rewards Program that will help to increase destination awareness and provide incentives to agents to refer and sell Antigua and Barbuda as one of their ‘Preferred Destinations.’

Fenton further noted that with the recently concluded Mega Familiarization trips sponsored by Sandals, combined with a number of smaller FAM trips hosted in conjunction with Elite Island Resorts that the destination has definitely created a buzz of activity throughout the travel agent community.

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