Islands set to make a big impression at WTM

St kitts and nevis by Candida Brasnett

Islands set to make a big impression at WTM

Sports facility to be launched at show

WITH tourism the number one foreign currency earner for St Kitts and Nevis, the islands are once again planning a very proactive World Travel Market week.

A new sports facility on St Kitts will be launched at the show, which tourism officials hope will attract new special-interest tour operators to feature the island.

In addition, both islands are breaking into the conference and incentive market and will be promoting the latest technology and facilities now in place at various properties.

Other show priorities include updating the industry on a host of new-build hotel projects announced last year, along with refurbishment news, additional tour operators and the success of the wedding and cruise markets.

To emphasise the importance the islands place on WTM, minister for tourism, information and telecommunications, commerce and consumer affairs, Dwyer Astaphan, will be attending once again.

Director of tourism for the UK and Europe, Esther Smith, will also be welcoming at least eight hoteliers to the stand.

Last year’s investment in a larger stand for the St Kitts and Nevis proved worthwhile and will be repeated this year.

Smith said: “Each year at WTM we catch up with important industry colleagues and make a number of vital new business leads. This WTM promises to be our most successful yet. We have a new-look bigger stand, key people attending and a wealth of exciting news and promotions.”

The brand new stand design incorporates the destinations’ ‘Two Islands, One Paradise’ logo which will kick off a new awareness campaign for the coming months.

An eye-catching London taxi based at Earl’s Court for the duration of WTM will also carry the logo. In addition to the cultural dance troupe, which has become an established part of WTM’s opening ceremony, the islands will also be demonstrating local arts and crafts to attract visitors to the stand, including colourful hat and painting collections.

Agent Alert

&#42 Sunset Hour:agents planning to attend the Caribbean Village’s Sunset Hour, which takes place on November 13 from 5pm-7pm are invited to drop into the St Kitts and Nevis stand in advance and pick up a complimentary drinks voucher.

St Kitts and Nevis: keen to brief the trade on the latest hotel news

Giveaways

&#42 PRIZES UP FOR GRABS: there are four chances to win a prize with St Kitts and Nevis at this year’s World Travel Market.

Visitors can enter the card drop for one of the locally crafted hats, or donate £1 to WTM’s international Just a Drop charity appeal for a Caribbean painting raffle. Agents and operators can also complete a short quiz to compete for one of four fam trip places and anyone using the St Kitts and Nevis taxi at WTM can send in the branded receipts to enter a holiday draw.