New York Wednesday June 7th, 2017. Montserrat is being prominently represented at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s (CTO’s) Caribbean Week in New York, which takes place from June 4th – 11th, 2017. The delegation to this event includes Honourable David Osborne, Member of Parliament, Mrs. Camille Thomas-Gerald, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Premier; Mrs. Rosetta West-Gerald, Product Development Officer and Ms. Cherise Aymer, Marketing Officer, both from the Tourism Division. One of the highlights of the week so far has been the Trade Show and Educational Forum for Travel Agents, themed “Selling the Romantic Caribbean” which was sponsored by Delta Airlines. Montserrat was among thirty destinations who participated in the Event, which was held on Tuesday June 6th in the Wyndham Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom, skillfully decorated to set the mood.
The aim of the event was to introduce over one hundred and forty Travel Agents to the different Caribbean destinations. They were also given the opportunity to learn about the unique attributes of each destination, so that the islands could be promoted to their potential and existing clientele who are looking for new travel experiences. Each island was given the opportunity to showcase their product both at the booth and during the dinner in an effort to develop effective business partnerships to increase sales.
Montserrat’s booth had a selection of vivid collaterals all of which were hot off the press. These included brochures, maps, flyers, and giveaways such as note pads, USB sticks (with key tourism information) hand bags, luggage tags, all of which bear the new colourful logo, and tagline,” Come, we have time for you,” and website. Additional collaterals included brochures, business cards, coasters and bottle warmers/coolers from the private sector. The colours of the madras were also used as was a TV monitor which displayed the product through a selection of videos.
The many Travel Agents who visited the Montserrat Booth were eager to get as much information about the island as possible as they see it as an up and coming destination which they could pitch to their clients as being “new” and fresh. An island which they would recommend to be on their client’s bucket list.
The evening culminated with a dinner and live presentation from each island who were each asked to sum up in as few words as possible what is unique about the destination that makes them stand out from the others. Door prizes were also up for grabs by the Travel Agents who had to be knowledgeable enough about the destination in order to win prizes.
Tropical Mansion Suites teamed up with the Tourism Division in providing a free 2-nights’ stay and a bottle of wine for 2 persons which was won by a lucky travel agent and another travel agent won a selection of branded T. Shirts.
On Wednesday June 7th, a series of Workshops as well as Ministers and Directors Meetings were held with the view to charting the way forward for boosting Tourism arrivals in the Caribbean.
Another key event will be the Media Marketplace to be held on Thursday June 8th.
