Destination St. Kitts and Nevis, a joint initiative aimed at raising the profile of St. Kitts and Nevis amongst the UK travel industry, has kicked off this week in London with an agent training and cocktail event, the first of a series of high-profile events that also include agent training sessions in Glasgow, in partnership with Barrhead Travel; a tour operator marketplace and media networking. 

Supported by a 20-strong delegation of key hoteliers, destination management companies, wedding planners and tourism services in addition to tourism authority officials representing both islands, Destination St. Kitts and Nevis will be conducted from Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October 2014. It will offer a forum for destination partners to promote St. Kitts and Nevis to the UK travel industry, and to build business through agent training sessions in London and in Glasgow, a tour operator marketplace, media networking event and high profile consumer rum-tasting in partnership with the Telegraph.

Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority said, “We are delighted to be back in the UK as part of this unique joint initiative to court the travel industry. As we emerge as a strong contender in the luxury travel market, the role of the UK travel trade has become hugely significant for us to achieve our goals; and we are confident that the sessions will be highly conducive in building on our relationships with the trade, securing new partnerships and developing new business. I am very pleased to see such strength of support from partners and stakeholders and also understand there is good attendance at all events. We are looking forward to meeting with and sharing our destination's unique charm, beauty and hospitality with the UK travel trade, media and consumers during this important week.”

Greg Phillip, CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, said “I am not only very excited about our time in the UK but I am hopeful that it will be a hugely successful trip in terms of building and developing relationships within the travel industry. We are very glad to welcome the opportunity to share the unique story of Nevis's exclusivity and sustainability to travel professionals and media within the UK.”

Destination St. Kitts & Nevis will progress to a follow-up educational to St. Kitts and Nevis to offer an opportunity for all participants to experience the island first hand to familiarise themselves with the accommodation product and visitor experience crucial for the 2014/2015 season. The two islands will host 12 tour operators who will familiarise themselves of the destination's diverse tourism product, its varied accommodation and visitor attractions over a five-day period from October 7 to 11 2014.

Editor's Notes
The Destination St. Kitts & Nevis delegation includes:
Representing the Federation: Minister of Tourism and International Transport, the Hon. Richard Skerritt
From St. Kitts: Racquel Brown, CEO; Claire Rawson, Board Member
From Nevis:  Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Mark A.G. Brantley; Greg Phillip, CEO and Julie Claxton, Sales & Marketing

Participating partners include
From St. Kitts: St. Kitts Marriott Resort and the Royal Beach Casino, Ottley's Plantation Inn, Ocean Terrace Inn, Sugar Bay Club, Belle Mont Farm (Kittitian Hill), Dreamy Weddings & Tours, St. James Travel & Tours, Yu Lounge
From Nevis: Four Seasons Resort , Montpelier Plantation & Beach, Mount Nevis Resort, Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Oualie Beach Resort, The Hamilton Beach Villas & Spa, The Hermitage, Paradise Beach (formerly Villas Paradiso)

The Events

Monday September 29 - Travel Agent Networking and Cocktail Event, St. Kitts & Nevis High Commission 
An opportunity for participating partners from St. Kitts and Nevis to meet with some of the specialists of the St. Kitts online agent training programme as well as independent agents based in London and surrounding areas.

Tuesday September 30 – Events in Glasgow, including events in partnership with Barrhead Travel
An opportunity for St. Kitts & Nevis to learn about the Scotland market and how to build business with Scottish travel trade, media and consumers through a series of agent training sessions and events.

Wednesday October 1 – Media Networking & Cocktail Event at Vanilla (London) 
The media networking session will offer partners from both islands, an opportunity to network with a range of UK media representing the consumer and trade sectors, online travel sites, travel blogs and key freelance journalists. 

Thursday October 2 - Marketplace and Dinner with Tour Operators at Hampton Court Palace
Current and new Tour Operators, who are keen to build their sales to St. Kitts & Nevis, will have an opportunity to meet with participating island partners from St. Kitts and Nevis via special appointments arranged beforehand. 
    
Friday October 3 – Rum-Tasting Consumer Event
An opportunity for destination partners from St. Kitts and Nevis to meet directly with consumers.