Joyce Henry, along with LIAT Sales Manager in St. Maarten Anthony Browne during a sales call [view photo]

The Ministry of Tourism in its continued drive to increase visitor arrivals to Antigua and Barbuda participated in the recently held SMART Tradeshow in St. Maarten from May 20 - 22, 2008.

The tradeshow which is organized by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, the Hotel Association and the St. Maarten Tourist Board provides the venue for International Buyers to network and negotiate future business opportunities with suppliers in the tourism industry during 2 days of pre-scheduled appointments.

Representing Antigua & Barbuda were Joyce Henry - Marketing & Promotions Manager and D. Annette Michael - Public Relations Officer in the Marketing & Promotions Unit of the Ministry of Tourism.

Henry stated, "It is important that Antigua & Barbuda continue to be visible at Regional Tradeshows if we are to remain top contenders for market-share in the Caribbean, bearing in mind that after the UK and the USA the Caribbean Region is our next biggest market."

Twenty-three suppliers and thirty buyers were on hand for the event which showcased the islands of the North Eastern Caribbean Region including Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Saba, St, Barthlemy, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Maarten.

The Ministry of Tourism officials also used their visit to St. Maarten, to carry out Sales Calls with Travel Agents in an effort to update them on Antigua & Barbuda's tourism product as well as to promote the destination's upcoming 'Romantic Rhythms' Music Festival.

"The response by the travel agents to our new initiative, The Antigua and Barbuda Romantic Rhythms Music Festival was overwhelming. It has provided the agents with something new and exciting to package and sell to their clients", said Henry.

"Sales Calls are an important marketing tool as it affords one the opportunity to meet with the Agents/Tour Operators face-to-face, enabling the development of a 'personal' relationship between destination representatives and the Travel Trade."