Antigua and Barbuda Has a New Travel Advisory Board

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has selected a new Travel Advisory Board for the United States market.

The board will sit for the September 2022-September 2023 period, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The board members are owners of travel businesses across the Midwest, Southeast, East Coast and West Coast.

They have been selected due tot heir “strong relationship with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s US Office, the passion they have for the destination, and the important role they play in the travel industry,” according to a statement.

“We benefit from your knowledge and expertise, so I would also like to congratulate those of you who have had careers spanning more than 30 years in the travel industry and who are proud owners and managers in in your respective field,” Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minster Charles Fernandez told the board members at a recent dinner at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort.

This year’s board members include Brenda O’Neale – With This Ring Destination Weddings and Honeymoons; Debra Brown – SmartBird World Travel; Susan Berman – Berman Travel; Terry Strauss – Dedham Travel; Niki Rakowitz – Care Travel; Edouard Jean – Massive Travels; Tom Varghese – Travel Tom and Donna Borrelli – Hamden Travel.

“The real purpose and mission of the Board is to create true value for the destination while we look forward, not backward, and present ideas that will allow the advanced uniqueness of Antigua and Barbuda to shine through,” said Brenda O’Neale, who is the chair of the Advisory Board. “I am especially proud to be a part of a team that cares deeply about Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism and the travel industry at large.”

The group spent five days in Antigua this month, familiarizing themselves with the latest destination updates and brainstorming.

“The last few days have been very productive,” said Dean Fenton, Antigua and Barbuda’s US Director of Tourism. “The group has been engaged in strategic think tank sessions, producing big ideas that will help Antigua and Barbuda stand-out and drive more business to the destination from the US.”