CTO looks to publicise Global Gateways Web sites at WTM

Caribbean village

CTO looks to publicise Global Gateways Web sites at WTM

Report by CANDIDA BRASNETT

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation is launching its family of Web sites – Global Gateways to the Caribbean – at this year’s World Travel Market.

The official press launch takes place at 2.30pm on November 13 in the Piccadilly Room, but there will be information on the Web sites on the CTO’s two stands in the Caribbean Village throughout the show.

This is the first time the Caribbean organisation has had a global approach to its Web site, which will feature individually designed gateways and sites for each of its markets, as well as gateways for niche markets such as special interest, weddings and honeymoons and conference and incentives.

All 35 member states and allied or Chapter members of the private sector will be supported with information being centralised on the site.

This will create an exclusive portal that facilitates and promotes business, potentially increasing tourism to the Caribbean. Up to $750,000 has been spent on the first phase which sees the UKgateway and site go live at the end ofthis month. Phase two is being developed and will be ready at the end of the year when foreign language gateways will be added.

CTO deputy marketing director for the UK and Europe, Jo Spalburg said: “It is very important to us that the UK has its own tailor-made site with information that is geared to this market.”

All of the CTO’s members are exhibiting at this year’s WTM, except for the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. New exhibitors are Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten which will be represented in the Dutch Caribbean area alongside Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire. Another new exhibitor is the Riviera Maya, representing the whole coastal area between Cancun and Tulum in Caribbean Mexico.

There will also be a dedicated Caribbean Travel Consultants Training stand for the first time, providing current CTCT agents with a help centre and focal meeting point.

Web launch: CTO deputy director of marketing, Europe, Jo Spalburg and marketing consultant for the CTO and the UK Chapter, Susan Williams, log on to the new site