The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) Canada office has opened applications for its newly established Travel Agent Advisory Committee, inviting Canadian travel advisors, agency owners, and consortia leaders to apply. At the same time, St. Kitts has unveiled its board.
Antigua says the committee has been created to strengthen collaboration with the Canadian travel trade, ensuring that advisor insight and frontline market intelligence help inform future trade initiatives, marketing strategies, and destination development.
“Canadian travel advisors play a critical role in shaping how travellers discover and experience Antigua and Barbuda,” said Tameka Wharton, Director of Tourism for Canada. “This advisory committee gives advisors a seat at the table, allowing us to work more closely with those who know the market best and helping us continue to grow the destination in a meaningful and informed way.”
Members of the advisory committee will meet regularly to share market insights, provide strategic guidance, and act as peer advocates within their networks. Selected advisors will also receive professional recognition, insider access to destination updates, and opportunities to contribute to the future direction of Antigua and Barbuda’s trade strategy in Canada.
Applications are now open and will be accepted until Sunday, Feb. 15. Membership is by application only. Apply here: Antigua and Barbuda Travel Advisory Committee Application Form
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA)
Now up and running, the St. Kitts Travel Advisor Board is a collective of elite travel professionals called to help shape the future of the destination’s travel trade landscape.
The primary purpose of the Travel Advisor Board is to foster a synergy between experienced travel advisors and the SKTA. By leveraging the Board’s deep market perspective, St. Kitts aims to refine its destination positioning, inform innovative product development, and strengthen global awareness through the eyes of those who interact with the traveller daily.
“The launch of the Travel Advisor Board reflects our continued commitment to strengthening the relationship between St. Kitts and the travel advisor community,” says Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “By listening to and collaborating with our valued partners, we can stay agile in the face of global trends and evolving consumer behaviour, ensuring St. Kitts remains a competitive and sought-after destination.
“Travel advisors are the storytellers of our destination, and their insight is the bridge between our vision and the visitor’s experience.”
The partnership centers on a multidimensional approach to destination growth, blending high-level strategy with boots-on-the-ground advocacy. Members of the Board serve as vital consultants, providing quarterly strategic insights on emerging global trends while offering direct feedback on hotel products, excursions, and all-inclusive offerings to ensure they exceed traveller expectations.
Beyond the boardroom, these advisors act as official ambassadors, championing St. Kitts across their professional networks and participating in exclusive Familiarization (FAM) experiences. This collaborative framework is designed to ensure that the SKTA’s marketing and trade initiatives are not only innovative but also deeply rooted in actionable market data and authentic visitor needs.
Among the seven members from North America and Britain is 35-year Canadian travel industry Vinnie Vats, Managing Director of Travelair International Inc. in Toronto.
“Transitioning the firm from wholesale to luxury retail, he specializes in high-end private villas, premium African safaris, and top-tier cruises,” says the SKTA. “Under his leadership, the agency achieved Platinum status with Sandals Resorts. Vinnie brings a strategic focus on recruitment, training, and supplier partnerships to the board.”
The Tourism Authority continues: “By bridging the gap between destination management and frontline expertise, this Board marks a new era of trade-centric collaboration, ensuring that St. Kitts not only meets the current demands of the global travel market but actively anticipates the future needs of the travel advisor community and their most discerning clients.”
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