Antigua and Barbuda Honours Top-‐Performing Canadian Travel Agents
English Harbour Antigua as viewed from Shirley Heights. Credit: The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office.
Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 (TORONTO): The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office are honouring Canadian travel agents who have excelled in promoting and selling vacations to the Caribbean destination known for its 365 beaches. “These agents have become my extended family,” says Tameka Wharton, Sales and Marketing Manager at The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office in Toronto, ON. “The travel agents that we’re celebrating have set themselves apart in very simple ways.” The national recognition is two-tiered and goes to Canadian travel professionals who have achieved high sales based on bookings logged on their training profile at antiguabarbudata.com and also those who showed exemplary customer engagement after completing one of our 2017 familiarization (FAM) trips. For their efforts, the six travel agents honoured by The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office each received a special edition hand-crafted and painted wine glass featuring an iconic symbol of Antigua and Barbuda. “Our travel agents are Antiguan ambassadors,” says Wharton of the successful six agents, who reside across Canada. “We wanted to let them know we appreciate their efforts while encouraging other agents to get involved.”
Kelly Rodgers – Top Selling Agent for 2017 The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office congratulates Kelly Rodgers on becoming its Top Selling Agent of 2017. “My first introductions to the island of Antigua were on port stops while sailing the large ships – one-day stops to experience the beaches,” says Rodgers, a travel management expert at Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Trenton, ON. “When I got the opportunity to join the tourism board on a FAM, I was ecstatic!” Antigua and Barbuda’s FAM trip gave Rodgers an opportunity to stay at Antigua’s Galley Bay Resort and Spa, an all-inclusive resort known for its tropical greenery and Tahitian-style cottages with private plunge pools. “It was the first time I had experienced such a small and intimate venue,” says Rogers, commending the resort’s beachfront rooms, spa and culinary options. One of the highlights of Rodgers’ trip was learning how easy it is to get married in the twinisland destination, with a no residency requirement. “We participated in a full mock wedding ceremony,” says Rodgers. “There are no words!” Rodgers has since become an invaluable resource to her clients. “Each family or couple I’ve sent to Antigua and Barbuda has come back with beautiful stories of the people and landscapes. Most are saying they want to go back again next year,” she says. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office provides on-call support to travel agents, a service Rodgers utilized on a recent booking. “I had a client who needed dialysis while he was away on vacation and Tameka helped me locate resorts that were close to dialysis clinics so he could go there on the days he required treatments,” she says. Rodgers’ best advice to travel agents? “Sell this destination,” she says. “Once your clients visit they will return again and again.”
Patti Dougan – Second Highest Sales for 2017 The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office congratulate Patti Dougan for not only being a high-selling travel agent but for also being the most engaged agent on social media with her clients. “Going to Antigua on a FAM was the best way for me to see and experience what Antigua and Barbuda have to offer,” says Dougan, who works at Vision Travel Solutions in Waterloo, ON. “The 365 beaches are just the beginning!” Dougan’s advice to travel agents is to complete The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office’s online course and “get yourself on one of Tameka’s amazing FAM trips!”
Olimpia Govorusa – One of the Top Three Sellers for 2017 “Antigua is a destination that has become extremely affordable,” says Olimpia Govorusa, an assistant team leader at Flight Centre TD Centre in Toronto, ON. After returning from a FAM trip with The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office, Govorusa was the first agent in her group to secure a booking. She then went on to become one of Antigua and Barbuda’s top Canadian sellers in 2017. “My clients have had only fantastic things to say about the destination,” says Govorusa, noting that she spends the bulk of her clients to Antigua’s The Verandah Resort and Spa. Her clients also love visiting Shirley Heights, a restored military lookout about 490 ft. up that offers spectacular views of English and Falmouth Harbours – the best views in Antigua! Flight packages to Antigua are offered by WestJet, Air Canada and Sunwing. “Antigua is a fantastic destination that is great for all ages, couples and families,” says Govorusa. “There is so much diversity in resorts that anyone can have a great time on this gorgeous island.”
Andrea Arkell – Sold My Host Hotel Andrea Arkell loved her stay at Antigua’s Galley Bay Resort and knew her clients would too. When the destination wedding and family travel specialist returned home from a FAM trip, she became the first agent in her group to sell accommodations at the hotel that hosted her. Antigua’s Galley Bay Resort, which overlooks Galley Bay on the Caribbean coast, is one of many locations Arkell got to experience while touring Antigua. “The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office made sure we got the most out of our visit by including site inspections, excursions and even a visit to the City Hall and Courthouse to see the process of getting a marriage license locally,” says Arkell, who works at Uxbridge Travel Centre in Uxbridge, ON. “My sales of Antigua have grown tenfold this year. When I am sending a quote to new or existing clients, I always include an option for Antigua,” says Arkell. “It is true what they say the beach is just the beginning. Your clients will love it!”
Amanda Drexler – Recognition for Social Media Engagement and for Being the First to Book the Destination After Completing FAM Amanda Drexler wasted no time in getting to work after completing a FAM trip in Antigua and Barbuda – the Ontariobased travel agent was the first in her group to sell the Caribbean destination upon returning home. “Antigua is a beautiful island with so much to discover,” says Drexler, who works at Travel Agents in Action in Brampton, ON. “There is truly something for everyone in Antigua.” The clients Drexler sent to Antigua had a “fantastic experience” at their resort, the Verandah Resort and Spa, and on excursions to DBoat (a waterpark aboard a 1974 refurbished 140 ft. oil tanker) and Stingray City. “They cannot wait to return,” says Drexler. Drexler thanks, The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office for its helpful advice on selling the destination. “Go on FAMs that are offered, experience all you can, ask questions and build relationships with your BDMs,” says Drexler. “All of this will help you better serve your customers and increase your sales.”
Lori Smith – Travelled The Furthest Distant to Invest in Her Profession The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office applauds Lori Smith for travelling from her hometown in Arcola, Saskatchewan to Antigua and Barbuda to experience a FAM trip last April. The distance Smith travelled paid off as she readily became able to sell the destination upon return.
Lori Smith (left), Tameka Wharton o f The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office
“The clients I have sent to Antigua and Barbuda have given rave reviews about the destination,” says Smith of WanderLori Travel. Accolades such as “Antigua is now my favourite Caribbean island” and “now that’s paradise” are just some of the anecdotes Smith’s clients have shared to describe the tropical destination.
“If you have clients that are looking for a safe and beautiful island away from the hustle and bustle of mega-resorts, suggest Antigua! There is so much to do and to see,” says Smith.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA HOSTS OVER 50 CANADIAN AGENTS IN 2017 In partnership with WestJet Vacations, Antigua and Barbuda hosted over 50 Canadian travel agents on FAM trips in Spring 2017, giving travel professionals the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and understanding of Antigua and Barbuda to better serve their clients. “Guided FAMs allow agents to make connections with the right industry partners and better qualify clients,” says Wharton, who organizes FAM trips. “The destination and tourism board get to partner with travel professionals as we invest in their professional growth.” “Informing agents about the expansion of Antigua and Barbuda’s airlift in 2017 was key to our positive growth,” Tameka Wharton says Colin Skerritt, Director of Tourism, Canada. “Flights are now available with WestJet, Air Canada and Sunwing, which offers non-stop service out of Toronto and Montreal.” Antigua and Barbuda’s FAM trips allow travel agents to experience tourism first-hand; from hotel site inspections to must-see attractions, such as Shirley Heights Look Out and Stingray City in Antigua, to walking along 17 miles of pink and white sand after visiting The Frigate Bird Sanctuary – the largest bird sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere – on Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda’s FAM trips offer travel agents experiences specific to local life, too, such as joining a street parade at Antigua’s Summer Festival, participating in boat races at Antigua Sailing Week or learning how to cook authentic local cuisine. “Seeing agents connect after taking them to the destination, maintaining communication, sharing ideas and a friendship is most rewarding to me,” says Wharton. “The sales become natural.” Details on Antigua and Barbuda’s upcoming travel agent FAM trips can be found at antiguabarbudata.com or emailing fams@visitaandb.com. For more information on Antigua and Barbuda, visit visitantiguabarbuda.com. For more information, high-res images and agent interview inquiries, please contact Tameka Wharton at twharton@visitaandb.com