SKTA BOOSTS DESTINATION MARKETING WITH U.S. TRADE PARTNERSHIPS AND EARNS RECOGNITION AT CTO FOUNDATION'S RUM & RHYTHM BENEFIT

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) continues to enhance its marketing efforts and international reach, with recent developments demonstrating its commitment to promoting St. Kitts as a premier destination. Key members of the SKTA home office team, Communications Coordinator Jonnette Boyd and Marketing Communications Officer Savita Tilackdharry, completed an internship with FINN Partners US on October 7-8, followed by a sales calls with SKTA’s Northeast Sales representative, Deborah Traussi. The high-impact meetings with prominent U.S. travel agencies preceded attendance at the CTO Foundation’s Rum and Rhythms Benefit in New York City.

During their internship at FINN Partners, Boyd and Tilackdharry engaged in hands-on sessions covering advanced topics in communications, including Pitching for Broadcast, Print, and Digital Media, Influencer Marketing Strategies, and Measurement and Analytics for Earned, Owned, and Social Media. These cutting-edge sessions offered invaluable insights that are poised to significantly enhance the SKTA’s communication strategies and promotional efforts.

“Participating in the FINN Partners internship was a pivotal experience, equipping us with strategic frameworks that will enhance our ability to effectively market St. Kitts,” said Savita Tilackdharry, Marketing Communications Officer at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “By deepening our expertise in the nuanced requirements of broadcast, print, and digital media, while optimizing data analytics and influencer marketing strategies, we are now positioned to design more precise, data-driven campaigns with greater reach and measurable impact.”

Following the internship, on October 9, Boyd and Tilackdharry accompanied Trassi  to conduct destination training with U.S. travel agents and advisors through comprehensive presentations. Prominent partners included Pro Travel, Tzell Travel, Altour Advisors, and Trips Away Travel.

Culminating their NYC visit, the team proudly represented St. Kitts at the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Foundation’s Rum and Rhythms Benefit on October 11, standing alongside other Caribbean destinations in a celebration of the region’s rich rum heritage. St. Kitts showcased a vibrant display of local culture, featuring standout offerings such as Brinley Gold Shipwreck Rum, Old Road Rum, and Hibiscus Spirit. The event included expert cocktail demonstrations by local mixologist Griffin Moore and culinary delights prepared by Chef Stephen Marsham, who presented traditional Kittitian dishes like “Cook-up” and rum cake. Chef Marsham, assisted by his Brand Manager Christel Joseph of CJ Creates and Nailah Nisbett of Sweet Divine Treats, placed second in the judged culinary competition against other Caribbean destinations. The segment was evaluated by esteemed judges, including representatives from The New York Times, a James Beard Award finalist, Dorel Liqueur of Brooklyn, and a JetBlue executive.

“The Rum and Rhythms event was exciting opportunity for St. Kitts to showcase its rich culinary and cultural heritage on an international stage,” said Jonnette Boyd, Communications Coordinator, at the Authority. “Placing in the culinary competition was an exciting moment for us, as it underscored our commitment to championing our local cuisine and rum. Sharing the distinct flavors of our island—from our world-class rums to traditional dishes—allowed us to create a deeper, sensory connection with attendees, further positioning St. Kitts as a vibrant yet refreshingly uncrowded destination.”