BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The region’s Two-Islands-One Paradise destination gets a major boost with the arrival of 40 travel agents from key locations in Canada and the United States to attend the First Annual Travel Agent Symposium.
Jointly hosted by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority and the Nevis Tourism Authority the symposium from Wednesday 27th to Sunday 31st May include training workshops, networking sessions, inspection of properties, an exploration of the sister island of Nevis and leisure activities for the travel agents to experience the tourism product of the Federation.
A release quotes Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Rosecita Jeffers, as saying that the symposium is an important event in marketing the destination and in ensuring that the North American travel agent community is familiarised with St.Kitts and Nevis.
“We are expecting top-producing travel agents from key locations in North America. This is a very exciting period for the destination as it symbolises our commitment to continuous destination awareness and marketing during these difficult economic times,” said Jeffers.
Aerial view of Basseterre, the St. Kitts capital
Photo by Erasmus Williams
She said the agents will be educated on the different elements of the tourism product with the aim of building destination awareness in order to increase their effectiveness in selling the destinations.
Travel agents will represent agencies from various locations in Canada, and also agencies from the United States from specific locations such as California, Florida, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Virginia.
She said that local tourism stakeholders have been extremely supportive of this initiative, and has partnered with the Tourism Authority in ensuring that the on-island experience for the travel agents is a memorable one.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Sen. the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt is expected to address the travel agents at a welcome ceremony on Wednesday.
The agents will also be presented with certificates at an awards ceremony on Saturday.
