Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Takes Centre Stage at World Travel Market in London
ABTA Leadership Showcases Twin-Island Destination in Prestigious Panels
London, UK (11 November 2024) – The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority made a powerful impact at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) in London, with CEO Mr. Colin C. James and Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe, representing the twin-island nation on two high-profile panels. Their participation underscored Antigua and Barbuda’s forward-thinking tourism strategy and strengthened its presence on the global stage.
Mr. Colin C. James joined the panel, “The Next Five Years in Travel and Tourism,” at WTM’s geo-economics stream, hosted by author Mark Frary. The discussion covered the economic outlook and key challenges in travel, with Mr. James highlighting Antigua and Barbuda’s dedication to sustainable tourism, wellness, and overtourism. His insights aligned with the panel’s focus on resilience in global tourism, resonating with an audience of industry leaders, including Rosa Harris (Cayman Islands Department of Tourism), Mashhoor Baeshen (Cruise Saudi), and Nejc Jus (WTTC).
Cherrie Osborne participated in the panel, “The Intersection of Entertainment, Events, and Leisure Travel,” moderated by Caroline Bremner of Euromonitor, alongside Angelique Miller from Expedia Group and Erik Skjaerseth of Bolder. The discussion explored the economic impact of entertainment-driven events on travel trends, with Osborne showcasing Antigua and Barbuda’s approach to entertainment-led tourism through events like Antigua Sailing Week and the upcoming Antigua Art Week. She emphasized how these events create immersive cultural experiences, connect travellers with the local community, and enhance the destination’s cultural and economic appeal, drawing significant interest from industry leaders.
“We are thrilled to see Antigua and Barbuda represented at such a high level on the global stage in these crucial industry discussions,” commented Mr. Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “Our participation reaffirms our commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality tourism that resonates globally, positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a destination of choice.”
These panels at WTM marked a significant milestone for Antigua and Barbuda, enhancing the islands’ visibility and competitiveness in the global travel market. The event has opened doors to exciting new partnerships, promising continued growth and success for Antigua and Barbuda across key international markets.
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ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. 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 English-speaking 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 Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week 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 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere.
Find more information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on:
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For Antigua and Barbuda media enquiries, please contact:
Maria Blackman
Marketing Communications Manager
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601
E: maria.blackman@visitaandb.com
Antigua and Barbuda Images: aandbtourism.fotoseeker.com
