AHTA Newsletter 21st April 2015

Newsletter 28 -

21st April 2015

Photo: courtesy WICB

Antiguan Dream

With lush views and clear water, Antigua is a prototypical island paradise. However, it also has a unique culture all its own

- See more at: http://www.lipulse.com/trends/article/antiguan-dream#sthash.jmTT3ekQ.dpuf

AHTA News

Showcase Antigua Barbuda is scheduled to take place on June 6th in the Bizjet-to-Yacht Hangar on runway 10 at the V.C.Bird International Airport. Preparations are progressing well and to date 33 tour operators have confirmed that they will be present along with 34 supplier companies.
Full details of the event can be found on our website at http://members.antiguahotels.org/events-programmes/showcase-antigua/ along with a full list of the companies registered so far.
Please be reminded that to benefit from the early bird registration fees, the completed form and payment must be received by the AHTA before April 30th.

Showcase Antigua Barbuda Trade Expo
In parallel to the above event we will for the first time be organizing SHOWCASE ANTIGUA BARBUDA TRADE EXPO that will give suppliers to the tourism sector the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the attending hotels and attractions. This event was very well attended last year and attracted nearly all hotels and major attractions in Antigua as well as several from our neighboring islands. We are expecting increased participation this year.

The event will also take place with the Hanger on Runway 10 and we will be providing exhibitors with either a 10’x10’ or 10’x20’ empty space to promote their goods and services. Furnishings can be arranged but will be at the cost of the vendor.

The cost to exhibit is as follows:
10'x 10'space AHTA Members EC$600.00 (EC$500.00 if paid before April 30th)
10'x 10'space Non-AHTA Members EC$750.00 (EC$600.00 if paid before April 30th)
20'x 10' space AHTA Members EC$850.00 (EC$750.00 if paid before April 30th)
20'x 10' space Non- AHTA Members EC$1000.00 (EC$900.00 if paid before April 30th)
Larger spaces available upon request

More details and registration form can be found on our website at http://members.antiguahotels.org/events-programmes/showcase-antigua/

CHTA Education Foundation, Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute partner to offer four Scholarships

Tuition Offered for Associate Degree Programs at ABHTI; Deadline to Apply is May 15, 2015

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) has partnered with the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute (ABHTI) to offer up to four scholarships for students pursuing an Associate's Degree at the school in Hospitality Management, Resort Management and Culinary Arts.
CHTAEF will provide tuition fees for the first year of the program for up to four qualified applications and ABHTI will cover tuition fees for the second year as a matching grant. Applicants must be Antigua & Barbuda nationals who demonstrate a strong commitment to the hospitality and tourism industry.
CHTAEF is accepting the ABHTI scholarship applications until May 15, 2015 at 5 pm Eastern Caribbean Time. Applications are available in English and Spanish online here or by contacting Neil Forrester, general manager, Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association, neil@antiguahotels.org or 268-462-0374. Applications must be submitted with the approval of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association in order to be considered. Applications should be emailed to foundation@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.
More information here

May - Promotional opportunities

On Wednesday May 20th Antigua & Barbuda has been invited by Expedia to present the destination to the employees at their call center in Springfield, Missouri. This is the largest Expedia/Hotels.com call center in the US with 350 employees generating up to 18% of all business for some destinations. The AHTA will be present along with the ABTA and several hotel partners. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome to come along. If not we strongly recommend that all hotels on Expedia to provide us with promotional material to distribute. More details can be obtained here or from Neil in the AHTA office.

SMART - Sint Maarten's Annual Regional Tradeshow takes place from May 13th to 15th. This event provides a full day of business to business meetings with tour operators/buyers from the US and Europe but also from South America. For the last two years SMART has partnered with COPA to bring in a good number of South American tour operators. The AHTA will be attending, for more information contact Neil.

Governor General's Cup Air Rally visits Antigua
This weekend Antigua played host to the Governor General's Cup Air Rally. Fourteen light aircraft from all over the US and Canada made a 48 hour stop on the island on the final leg of their Caribbean Air Rally. The AHTA facilitated their arrival at the V.C.Bird International Airport with the support of the ABTA, the ABAA, Bizjet to Yacht and Signature. On Saturday evening the group held their prize giving at a cocktail on the Warri Pier at the Rex Halcyon Cove.

Images from our Sunset Mixer Cruise on Thursday April 4th

Statistics
Since our last newsletter the following have been added to the statistics page of our website.

1) Hotel Occupancy figures for March 2015
2) Air arrival figures for March 2015
3) Updated CTO statistics for the Caribbean for 2014 & 2015

Antigua Sailing Week Announces New Sponsor Yida International Investment Group

Antigua Sailing Week is delighted to announce Yida International Investment Group (representing the Antigua Special Economic Zone) as a Development Sponsor and Sponsor of the Final Race Day of Antigua Sailing Week.

Full story...

Click the image to read the 2015 E-Blast Quarterly from the Antigua Barbuda Tourism Authority

Click the image for more details

Regional News

CHTA forges strategic partnership with Cable & Wireless Communications to provide members with reliable & cost-saving connectivity solutions

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has signed a Strategic Partnership agreement with Cable & Wireless Communications Plc (CWC), a full-service communications provider operating in 16 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
As a Strategic Partner, CWC will work with hoteliers as the business solutions provider behind the end to end hospitality deployment of full IP network and telephony in the Caribbean, helping CHTA members reduce costs and increase efficiency in hotel operations.
Full story...

CHTA’S 'CHIEF' Hospitality Forum designed to help hotels make more money & save more money

Best Practices, Hands-On Learning Will Set Tone at New Region-wide Engagement Event
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) is staging the new Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), an event designed for hospitality and tourism professionals, which provides best practices and hands-on learning opportunities to help hoteliers "make more money and save more money." CHIEF will be held Oct. 2-4, 2015 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico.
Full Story...

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Website

Our mailing address is:
Island House. Newgate Street
PO Box 454
St John's
Antigua
Tel: (268) 462.0374 Fax: (268) 462.3702
E-mail: ahta@candw.ag

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