Representation company AMG closes down

Tourism representation company AMG has been closed down by founding director Nadine Rankin.

 

Rankin said she had closed the marketing, PR and representation business as part of a “lifestyle decision” but plans to stay on in the travel industry in a new role.

 

Two AMG staff, sales and marketing manager Stephen Smith and marketing director Sangita Makwana, have been made redundant and are now looking for new jobs in the travel sector.

 

A further two AMG staff members, Anders Sparkhall and Lucy Abdul, have moved across to work for separate business My Booking Rewards, which Rankin co-owned with Darren Pearson, who is now sole owner. Another staff member, Jade Calver, has set up Reach Representation and taken on some of AMG’s former clients.

 

Rankin posted news of the closure on LinkedIn, revealing the company officially closed its doors on July 31.

 

She said she would be announcing details of her new role soon at a ‘high-profile’ travel company. “It’s great to be staying in the industry. I am not ready to retire yet; this is a lifestyle decision,” she said.

 

Rankin has worked in the sector for more than three decades. On LinkedIn, she said: “Looking back over the past 33 years, I do so with an overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude and, quite honestly, wonderment at some of the incredible experiences this journey has brought.

 

“Through AMG, I had the privilege of representing outstanding hotels and destinations across the Caribbean, Southern Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.

 

“Along the way, I found myself hot air ballooning over the snowy landscapes of Switzerland and the vast dunes of Namibia, rafting the rivers of Jamaica and Zimbabwe, skydiving in South Africa, ziplining in Mexico, and experiencing countless other unforgettable adventures.”

 

She thanked staff, partners and clients for their support and loyalty over the years.

 

AMG was registered with Companies House in 2000 but was originally set up as a spin-off business by Rankin’s former business partner Hugh Cuell, who died in 2009.

 

Clients included Tobago Tourism Agency (TTAL), which is in the process of appointing new representation as a result of AMG’s closure.

 

AMG represented Tobago for 15 years until August 1, 2026. During that time, AMG was responsible for raising the profile of Tobago, strengthening trade and paid media relationships and supporting the island’s growth.

 

TTAL said the UK and Ireland remained strategically important source markets and it remained committed to growing the destination’s presence in both.

 

In a statement, TTAL thanked AMG for its “outstanding” contribution over the years. It said: “Their commitment to promoting Tobago and representing our destination with integrity, enthusiasm and expertise has been exceptional.

 

“The team has become an important extension of our tourism family and will be sorely missed. We are immensely grateful for everything they have done to support Tobago’s tourism industry and international reputation.”

 

AMG also released a statement, which said: “It has been both an honour and a pleasure to represent the beautiful island of Tobago for the past 15 years.

 

“We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved together and of the many partnerships, friendships and successes that have been built during this time.

 

“We would like to thank the Tobago Tourism Agency, the tourism stakeholders on the island and our valued trade and media partners for their trust, support and collaboration throughout the years.

 

“We wish Tobago every success for the future and look forward to seeing the destination continue to flourish.”