MINISTER OF TOURISM AND ST. KITTS TOURISM AUTHORITY DELEGATION RETURN FROM SUCCESSFUL MARKETING MISSION TO CANADA

The Honourable Marsha Henderson, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, International Transport, Employment and Labour, and Urban Development, and a St. Kitts Tourism Authority delegation including Kelly Fontenelle, CEO, Melnecia Marshall, Deputy CEO, Anita Nightingale, Chief Marketing Officer, and Savita Tilackdharry, Marketing Communication Officer recently visited Canada for a marketing mission that included meeting with the diaspora, connecting with key travel partners and conducting interviews with members of the media.

“Canada is an important source market for St. Kitts and the annual mission to Toronto is critical to ensuring we stay top-of-mind and reconnect with our trusted travel partners leading into the important fall-winter booking season,” said the Honourable Minister Henderson. “We know that there is significant growth opportunity in Canada and this visit allows us to put an aggressive strategy in motion that pays dividends throughout the year for our tourism industry.”

The visit commenced with the Honourable Minister Henderson hosting the diaspora at a reception on 23 September at the Toronto Hilton hotel.

“We were happy to once again have the opportunity to engage with the diaspora and to introduce our new CEO, Kelly Fontenelle, who of course is no stranger to the region,” said the Honourable Minister Henderson. “It’s important for us to remain visible and forge partnerships with our Caribbean neighbours, so this is an invaluable opportunity to reconnect and find synergies.”

During the Toronto visit, the Honourable Minister and CEO also made a scheduled courtesy call to meet with the Honourable Consul General, John Allen, at the Consulate of St. Kitts and Nevis.

As a kick off to the main agenda, the delegation met with the media for a ‘Start the Day with St. Kitts’ breakfast event, conducting one-on-one interviews with Canada’s top travel trade journalists, representing key outlets including Travelweek, WheelsUp Network, Canadian Travel Press, Travel Courier, Open Jaw, Travel Industry Today and consumer outlet, Caribbean Vibrations Television. The day finished with participation in a special live event webinar for travel agents titled, ‘Romance and Industry Trends with St. Kitts’ featuring the Minister of Tourism, St. Kitts Tourism Authority representatives and special guest, Alison McGill. St. Kitts has had an exclusive relationship with McGill, who is Canada’s top romance expert and a well-known influencer in the space. That industry-leading relationship has helped position St. Kitts as a top trending destination for romance and weddings the last two years, through multiple TV appearances, print/digital and social media coverage, and by featuring St. Kitts wedding and honeymoon providers on her well known podcast, Aisle Seat.

“The vast majority of Canadians who visit us, visit as a couple and are seeking something different,” said CEO Fontenelle. “This fully booked-out webinar was a way for us to highlight to agents what’s new and unique about St. Kitts, and why we would appeal to their clients who travel as couples; whether they are simply looking for a romantic getaway, celebrating an anniversary or planning a destination wedding. Alison shared key romance trends such as ‘earlymoons’ and ‘quiet weddings’, all emerging trends that St. Kitts is highly plugged into and able to deliver on, as we go after new and existing romance business in Canada.”

The busy agenda also provided the opportunity to meet with Air Canada Vacations, the destination’s legacy airline and tour operator partner, to discuss the upcoming seasonal direct route restart on November 23 that is already seeing strong forward bookings.

The Minister and SKTA delegation visited the Air Canada Vacations office and discussed the potential for expanding airlift to the destination, highlighting how St. Kitts is unique in the Caribbean with its immersive attractions, distinctive cultural offerings and authentic, sustainable travel experiences. This was followed by an opportunity later in the week to be present for the Air Canada Vacations Product Launch 2024-2025, where more than 800 travel agents were in attendance to hear the latest product updates and meet with ACV management.

“The opportunity to meet with Air Canada Vacations in both a private setting as well as during their annual Product Launch where so many agents come out, is absolutely invaluable relationship building for St. Kitts,” said CEO Fontenelle. “We want to be on the minds of travel agents as we move into the winter season, so having a booth at the show, interacting directly with agents, continuing conversations with our partners at Air Canada Vacations, and connecting with the media again during this vibrant event to share our story, was the perfect way to round out our visit to Canada. We leave the country feeling very optimistic about the coming year and the strategies we have put in place to excite the market.”