Antigua and Barbuda Strengthens MICE Push with SITE Membership

Observer News Desk Antigua and Barbuda has joined the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) as the Tourism Authority steps up efforts to attract more meetings, incentive travel, conferences and events business to the destination. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) said its membership provides access to an international network of incentive travel professionals, industry knowledge and opportunities for collaboration. SITE operates in more than 90 countries and focuses on incentive travel, a key segment of the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) market. The development follows the certification of ABTA Sales and Marketing Officer Andy Liburd, who became the authority’s first Certified Incentive Specialist after completing a training programme sponsored by the ABTA’s United States office.

His accreditation also helped qualify the authority for SITE membership. ABTA-US Director Dean Fenton said the move was an important part of the destination’s wider MICE strategy. “Andy’s initiative in pursuing this opportunity, and the ABTA’s membership in SITE, provide a foundation for us to build greater awareness of Antigua and Barbuda as a destination for incentive travel,” Fenton said. Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez described the development as an opportunity to broaden the country’s appeal beyond its traditional tourism offerings. “Incentive travel presents valuable opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda to truly showcase the destination in ways that extend beyond our traditional tourism offerings. So, this is certainly a positive development,” Fernandez said. Government Relations Manager in the Ministry of Tourism, Senator Angelica…