The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, in collaboration with island’s tourism authority, are preparing to conduct the seventh installment of the travel trade business to business destination event, Showcase Antigua Barbuda. And notably, the Oct. 13-14 event will take place face to face.

Absent in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the ABHTA say they are “delighted to again welcome travel partners from all the major source markets” to the on-island, in-person event, which enables local suppliers to meet with key travel partners who are directly responsible for bringing bulk business to the destination.

“Showcase has become a staple for our destination and is critical for us to make that direct connection to our members and to our travel partners,” says Vernon A. Jeffers, Sr. Executive Chairman of the ABHTA. “Giving our partners the opportunity to experience the destination firsthand is important now more than ever, as we seek to allow them to connect to the sun, sea and safe environment which our local stakeholders have worked to create for our visitors.”

Colin C. James, CEO of the ABTA, adds, “We have done a lot of work this past year to promote Antigua & Barbuda as a unique space where visitors can feel safe to vacation, even during the most difficult period for travel. Today, we must make another connection by bringing our travel partners back to our islands. They must feel and experience all that we have put in place and know that their clients will be safe when traveling to Antigua & Barbuda.”

Showcase Antigua and Barbuda will include a welcome event on the Oct. 13 and a full day of business meetings on the 14th. A new element being added to this year’s event will include sessions of consultations on the destination and exploring avenues for growth and development of the industry.

More details on registration will be shared in the coming weeks.