US travel agents to 'explore' A&B

US travel agents to 'explore' A&B
 
Thursday July 10 2003
 
 

The Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism/New York, the Antigua Hotels & 
Tourist Association, and American Airlines, have joined together in an effort 
to bring as many travel agents as possible from the US to Antigua & Barbuda.

To this end, the months of September and October have been dubbed "Travel 
Agents Explore Antigua & Barbuda Months."

The programme will give travel agents from all cities in the United States, 
served by American Airlines, an opportunity to apply for special discounted 
round-trip fares of $149.00. 

In addition, American is offering a companion fare of $249.00.

The participating hotels, including AHTA members and non-members, have also 
offered special travel agent room rates. 

"It is good to see so many hotels participating in this promotional event," 
said the Director of Tourism/USA David Fernandez. 

"It is especially good to see for the first time, the smaller hotels such as 
the eleven members of Very Intimate Places Antigua (VIP) participating. It is 
a big step in the right direction to include the local entrepreneurs," he 
added 

Andrew Michelin, chairman of the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association, 
expressed his delight at participating in this programme. 

"Although there are other new means of promoting a destination, including the 
Internet, 80 per cent of a destination's business is produced by travel 
agents. Therefore, bringing them to Antigua to experience the product 
first-hand will indeed encourage them to sell our destination," he said.

The Department's New York Office will be promoting this programme via 
e-faxes, on the official website for Antigua & Barbuda, as well as at all 
travel/trade shows it participates in, in the coming months.

Source: Antigua Sun; July 10 2003