MINISTRY OF TOURISM RECOGNIZES LONG-STANDING VISITORS UNDER ITS VISITOR RELATIONS PROGRAMME

The Ministry of Tourism has recognized 5 more persons as part of its Visitor Relations Programme.

Introduced, just over a year ago by Director General of Tourism Shirlene Nibbs, the programme is intended to pay special recognition to persons who have been visiting Antigua & Barbuda for ten (10) or more years.

Such an individual/individuals are made known to the Ministry of Tourism with the assistance of its Tourism Partners.   Senior Officials within the Ministry then pay courtesy calls on the individuals and present them with a fitting memoir of Antigua & Barbuda an autographed copy of  “A Little Bit of Paradise” as well as a personal letter from the Director General of Tourism.

The latest recipients of such recognition have been Ms. Brenda Greer, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schofield and Mr. & Mrs. Les Edmund.

Ms. Brenda Greer a resident of a small town in Ontario Canada has been visiting Antigua for 24 years, since 1978.  In speaking with Ms. Greer she pointed out that one of the reasons she enjoys Antigua is because it reminds her of her hometown.  She went on to say that the most important reason for making Antigua her vacation destination year after year is its lovely white sand beaches and the warm and friendly relationship that she has developed with the management and staff of the Catamaran Hotel in Falmouth, whom she refers to as her family.

Mr. & Mrs. Robert Schofield made Antigua their vacation destination over thirty (30) years ago.  The Schofield’s are from London in the United Kingdom and enjoy getting away from the cold.  Mr. Schofield now in his 73^rd year promised Tourism Officials that he would continue to make Antigua his vacation destination as long as he is able.

Another couple that has been visiting Antigua for thirty years is Mr. & Mrs. Les Edmund from Hamilton in Ontario, Canada.  Mr. Edmund said that he first visited Antigua in 1972 at the invitation of a friend, there he immediately fell in love with the island, its friendly people and exciting culture and has been coming here ever since.

Director General of Tourism Shirlene Nibbs says that she is impressed with the information and research that Ministry officials have gained when relating to repeat visitors.  She said that they validate what we as a tourism destination should keep and not lose site of. Nibbs expressed that such persons are living reference books of our history. She concluded by saying that repeat guests are the recipe to what the tourism industry seems to be doing well to continue getting repeat business.

The Ministry of Tourism wishes to recognize the important role played by other industry Partners such as the Hotel Management and staff, Immigration, Customs, Police and Airline Personnel, Taxi Drivers, Vendors and Businesses in guaranteeing that these visitors come again.

The Ministry of Tourism encourages persons who know of an individual/individuals who have been visiting the island for a number of years to contact the Ministry with the information, remember “Tourism is everybody’s business”.

D. Annette Michael
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Tourism

Digital Photos of Presentation Ceremony