Destination News

Tobago Tourism Agency Launches “Mask On Tobago” Contest

SCARBOROUGH Tobago, Wednesday April 07, 2021: The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) launched a “Mask On Tobago” social media contest ahead of the busy Easter weekend, in their latest initiative to encourage the use of masks and adherence to COVID-19 health protocols in the island’s tourism sector.

#MaskOnTobago encourages the public to unite to create a safer Tobago for residents, hospitality staff and visitors, and show how they’re doing it by sharing  photos via social media. Some examples of content encouraged by the TTAL includes photos of tourism workers wearing masks and PPE, visitors enjoying Tobago while following government regulations, and any other measures that industry stakeholders have taken to make their businesses and services as COVID-19 safe as possible.

The contest was launched on April 02, 2021 via Tobago’s official destination pages on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and gives entrants the chance to win local hotel stays and other exclusive prizes until the end date of April 28, 2021. Entries will be eligible for weekly draws as well as two Grand Prize draws.

This latest engagement strategy by TTAL builds upon the ongoing success of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) “Safe Travels” stamp initiative on the island, implemented by the Tobago Tourism Agency in June 2020. Tobago was the third destination in the Caribbean to be named a “Safe Travels” destination by the WTTC, and has since seen more than 100 tourism embrace the guidelines outlined in TTAL’s Health and Safety Manual for post COVID-19, and earn the “Safe Travels” stamp of approval for their operations.

TTAL’s Marketing Coordinator Ms. Sheena Des Vignes stated:

“The Tobago Tourism Agency has recognized the need to meaningfully address the safety concerns and reputation of the destination as we seek to sustain and regain consumer confidence in Tobago locally and internationally.

Our #MaskOnTobago contest will aid in creating user generated content across our digital platforms that illustrates COVID-19 health and safety protocols in action across the island, starting with the proper use of face masks. It is a definitive step in creating a footprint of evidence of the various safety measures being taken on-island, that will support the recent success of over 100 tourism partners being Safe travels verified, and demonstrate to the global travelling public that Tobago is in fact a Safe Travels destination.”

TTAL’s #MaskOnChallenge is one of a series of on-island activities that form part of the organization’s strategy to ensure Tobago remains a Safe travels destination, protecting lives while safeguarding the future of the industry. This  latest engagement initiative will be further bolstered by written content produced by the Agency for traditional and digital media platforms to add to the narrative of how to experience Tobago safely while featuring its “Safe Travels” partners.

For more information about the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited’s ongoing #MaskOnTobago contest, visit the website www.tobagobeyond.com/maskon

What’s New in The Islands of The Bahamas in April

NASSAU, Bahamas, April 6, 2021 – The Bahamas is heating up this spring with the recent announcement of the return of cruising to the destination in the coming months and Expedia Group’s North American sites showing a 170% increase in searches about the destination in February. With a number of additional reopenings, The Bahamas is ready to continue to bring visitors the unparalleled vacation experience it is known for.

NEWS

Cruising Returns to The Bahamas – Crystal Cruises and Royal Caribbean announced their return to The Bahamas this summer. Crystal Cruises will operate in a Bahamas bubble with itineraries calling on Nassau, Bimini, Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador and Long Island. Royal Caribbean announced that Nassau will be the homeport for Adventure of the Seas beginning in June and will visit additional islands including Grand Bahama Island and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamas destination.

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Launches Romance Magazine – On the heels of its incredibly successful trade and consumer virtual romance expo, From The Bahamas With Love, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation launched its digital romance magazine by the same name. The magazine features exclusive wedding planning content including top venue recommendations, bachelorette party planning inspiration and made in The Bahamas decor and styling tips.

Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina Expansion and Reconstruction Expected by Q4 2021 – Famous among yachters, the highly anticipated reopening of Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina at Paradise Landing is slated for completion Q4 2021.  The totally rebuilt marina will feature luxury dockside residences, world-class retail, fine dining and extensive amenities designed for owners, guests and yacht crew, as well as docks up to 420 feet and 6,100 linear feet of deep-water floating.

Lighthouse Pointe Reopens to Guests – On March 25, Grand Bahama Island’s Lighthouse Pointe reopened to guests as part of the phased reopening of the Grand Lucayan Resort. The property features 200 guest rooms and a number of on-site restaurants.

John Watling’s Distillery Reopens – The famed Bahamian distillery, John Watling’s Distillery, reopened to visitors at the end of March. Free tours are available to visitors seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m

The Bahamas Launches Digital Payment Portals for Boaters and Fishermen – The Bahamas Customs & Excise Department and Ministry of Finance have developed electronic portals for boating and fishing permits to be booked online. Click2Clear, SeaZPass and Go Outdoors Bahamas ensure the ease of travel for all boaters and fishermen traveling to The Bahamas.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

The Bahamas Awarded Bronze in 2021 Adrian Award – The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation with a Bronze Adrian Award in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category for its Still Rockin’ campaign. Following Hurricane Dorian, BMOTA’s Still Rockin’ campaign highlighted the country’s 14 major islands unimpacted by the storm, which contributed to the country’s record-breaking year of 7.2 million visitors in 2019.

The Bahamas Honored with Nine Nominations in World Travel Awards – The Islands of The Bahamas have been selected as a shortlisted nominee in the 28^th annual World Travel Awards and are nominated in the lead beach, cruise, dive, honeymoon and overall destination categories. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is also nominated in the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board 2021 category. Voting is open now through August 2, 2021.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

Caerula Mar Exceptional Easter Escape – Visitors can book the Exceptional Easter Escape and get an extra night at 50% off when booking four nights or more by April 15, 2021 for stays through May 31, 2021.

4^th Night Free at SLS Baha Mar – SLS Baha Mar is offering a 4^th night free for guests booking between now and December 23, 2021, and staying through December 23, 2021.

Statia Preparing For 2020 Local Carnival

The Public Entity of St. Eustatius met recently with key stakeholders and has decided that Statia’s 2021 Carnival will be organized by the St. Eustatius Carnival Committee under strict local conditions and guidelines. One of the main conditions is that Carnival will be a local affair showcasing local artists. Parties further agreed that instead of the traditional 10 days Carnival 2021 will be reduced to 7 days. The planning and execution of the island’s largest annual cultural event is further contingent on the COVID-19 situation on the island. St. Eustatius is currently free of COVID-19.

Stakeholders will continue working on refining a Carnival strategy to ensure that all the safety procedures are in place at the Mike van Putten Youth Centre the venue for Carnival. In addition to the safety regulations focus will be placed on implementing strict hygiene measures and protocols. Hand sanitizing stations and additional toilet facilities will be put in place. There will further be an extra strict control on all quarantine locations.

Statians living abroad and friends of Statia in high-risk countries are advised that if they do plan to visit the island for the Summer holiday to ensure they make known to the Public Entity their interest to visit by sending their exact travel dates to info.covid19@statiagov.com. Visiting Statia only for the carnival will not be possible. Vaccinated persons will have the 5 days’ period where they are not allowed to attend events. More details will follow later.

During the course of this weekend the Carnival Committee will release its preliminary programme. “The success of Carnival 2021 depends on how well we as a Statian community work together to maintain our island COVID free. It has been a long year and together let us share this responsibility in order to restore normal life. As a Carnival Committee, in close collaboration with our key partners, we are up to the task”, says Marlon Hook, President of St.  Eustatius Carnival Committee”

Stakeholders involved in preparing for the 2021 Carnival include the St. Eustatius Carnival Committee, St. Eustatius Lions Club, St. Euststius Musical Foundation, and the Task Force in which are represented, Public Health Department, Caribbean Netherlands Fire Brigade, Caribbean Netherlands Police Force, and the Deputy Government Commissioner with responsibility for the portfolio of Culture.

Statia’s 2021 Carnival is scheduled for Monday July 26^th until August 1st, 2021.  The Task Force has advised that no permits for large super spreader events should be issued in the month leading up the start of Carnival.  “2020 has been a challenging year. We have had to cancel Carnival and several other mayor cultural events. One year later we know more about the COVID-19 virus. We must however, bear in mind the virus is still around with different variants popping up. As a small community we must therefore remain vigilant in order to protect the most vulnerable among us. As we attempt to gradually restore normal life, we must do this in a responsible manner”. Alida Francis, Deputy Government Commissioner.

Jamaica Wins Best Practice Gold Adrian Award in New York

KINGSTON – March 26, 2021 – The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) was recognized by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) with a Best Practice Gold Adrian Award for public relations excellence in the Crisis Communications/Management. The JTB’s entry, titled “Communicating Through a Crisis: A Model for Tourism Leadership,” focused on the destination’s thorough and thoughtful response to the pandemic, with an emphasis on innovative marketing and international communications. The focus of the 2020 HSMAI Adrian Awards was on Best Practices, Innovation and Community, showcasing the industry’s most exceptional efforts that will drive hospitality and tourism recovery.

“It is an honor to have our marketing and communications efforts lauded by an international entity at a time when we have worked so hard to show true tourism leadership globally,” said Donovan White Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “A nimble and strategic approach to marketing will remain a top priority for the JTB as we continue working towards a strong recovery for the tourism industry.”

The award celebrates Jamaica’s comprehensive crisis response and ability to engage potential travelers at home due to border closures at the onset of the pandemic. At the heart of the JTB’s strategy was the debut of GEN-C, a generation born out of the shared experience of COVID-19 shutdowns. Attributed to Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett, this global positioning of a new group of travelers was the basis for an international thought leadership platform. The award also celebrated Jamaica’s exceptional efforts to foster emotional connections, virtually, with Jamaican culture for people at home. The digital Escape to Jamaica series highlighted cuisine, wellness, and music through cooking demos, fitness classes, and weekly DJ sessions. Overall, the campaign achieved remarkable success with media impressions in the billions.

The Adrian Awards, presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI), represent the largest and most prestigious global travel marketing competition. Hosted annually, the competition has always been a showcase and benchmark of best practices in hotel and travel-related marketing and media.

For more information on Jamaica, please go to www.visitjamaica.com. For more information on the Adrian Awards, visit www.AdrianAwards.com

Anguilla Tourist Board Announces the Promotion of Shellya Rogers-Webster to Deputy Director of Tourism

The Valley, Anguilla, March 29, 2021……The Board of Directors of the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) is pleased to announce the promotion of Mrs. Shellya Rogers-Webster to the position of Deputy Director of Tourism.  In her new capacity, Mrs. Rogers-Webster will be predominantly responsible for leading and managing the Anguilla Tourist Board’s internal and external relationships and communications, including financial management, human resources, public relations, government relations, ATB policy, and corporate restructuring.

“I am very pleased to see Mrs. Shellya Rogers-Webster elevated to the post of Deputy Director of Tourism,” stated the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes.  “She brings a wealth of knowledge and a level of professionalism that is a hallmark of the Ministry.  I look forward to continuing to work with Mrs. Rogers-Webster over the next four and a half years and beyond.”

Prior to assuming the position of Deputy Director of Tourism Mrs. Rogers-Webster served as the Manager, Corporate Affairs for the Anguilla Tourist Board, a position she held since her appointment to the agency in July 2017.

“Shellya Rogers-Webster has proven herself to be an invaluable asset to the Anguilla Tourist Board,” declared ATB Chairman Mr. Kenroy Herbert. “Her impressive administrative skills have served us well in guiding the organization through some challenging times.  With this well-deserved promotion, the Board recognizes her contribution to the agency, and we have every confidence that she will continue to exceed expectations in her new position.”

Before joining the Anguilla Tourist Board, Mrs. Roger-Webster worked as a Senior Programme Officer, Culture in the Department of Youth & Culture.  She was charged with designing, developing and managing the department’s cultural development programmes, and successfully mobilized public, private and community resources to facilitate the growth and sustainability of arts and cultural development in Anguilla. Her love of the arts and desire to work with young people was forged at a series of internships with the British Museum in London, the Edna Carlsten Arts Gallery and the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

“I look forward to the challenges and responsibility that will come with my new position, and to working closely with Director Liburd to fulfill the ATB’s mission” said Rogers-Webster.  “I appreciate the Board’s vote of confidence, and I am grateful for the support of my colleagues.  Tourism is a collaborative enterprise, and this is a collective effort; we are fortunate to have a team of dedicated professionals at the ATB who are committed to growing our tourism industry, Anguilla’s economic lifeline.”

Mrs. Rogers-Webster is a graduate of the University of Birmingham, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Public Management (Distinction).   She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management (Summa Cum Laude), with Minors in Business Administration & Political Science.  She also holds a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management from George Washington University, and is a Chartered Director with the Caribbean Governance Training Institute.

For information on Anguilla please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.