Mariette Williams
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) recently wrapped up an on-island retreat for its U.S. Travel Advisory Board. Led by U.S. director Dean Fenton, the January event brought together top travel advisors for a mix of strategic "shop talk" and deep-dive destination experiences.
The meeting came after President Trump imposed a travel ban on Antigua and Barbuda, restricting citizens of the Caribbean nation from traveling to the U.S. That ban went into effect on Jan. 1.
"Antigua and Barbuda remains fully open for business, with uninterrupted access and no changes to entry requirements for U.S. visitors, and we are committed to ensuring advisors have the accurate information and on-the-ground support they need to sell the destination with confidence," Fenton said. "With strong demand, seamless travel and a robust calendar of experiences, we see significant opportunities to continue growing the U.S. market together."
He said the goal of the retreat was to provide travel pros a firsthand look at why Antigua and Barbuda remains a top-tier choice for American travelers. Between site inspections at luxury resorts like Blue Waters Resort & Spa and Hodges Bay Resort & Spa, the group got a true taste of island life. The visit included sailing trips on the Excellence Catamaran, beachfront dining at The Hut, Little Jumby and plenty of time exploring the capital of St. John's.
It wasn't all luxury and lounging, though. The board held collaborative sessions with ABTA leadership and met with the minister of tourism Charles Fernandez. He thanked the group for their advocacy, noting that their feedback is a "secret weapon" for the island's U.S. marketing strategy.
In a great display of "responsible tourism," the group also gave back to the community. They participated in a beach clean-up at Jabberwock Beach and donated much-needed supplies to the Denis Bowers Rehabilitation Centre.