ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Ministry of Tourism intends to conduct further business surveys towards formulating strategies that would make the Staycations Expo more appealing, according to Director of Tourism Policy, Research and Planning, Cortwright Marshall.
Describing the event held this year for the first time at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds as a “very costly exercise,” he stressed that the changes would also be to “maximise revenue coming out of what we are putting into it.”
The expo, now in its fourth year, wrapped up yesterday with organisers reporting an increase in locals opting to actively vacation at home because of “the information gathered from the expo.”
Forty businesses showcased their products and services.
The Staycations programme was introduced to help resuscitate the local economy during the global economic crisis by offering locals affordable packages at hotels and other tourism-related businesses.
Marshall said local officials would be looking to adopt “best practices” from other countries, including the US and UK in order to expand and grow the initiative.
He challenged residents here to buy into the scheme to not only help local businesses recover but also so they can convincingly sell “the good products and services” existing in the country.
General Manager of the Hotels and Tourist Association Neil Forrester agreed, saying Staycations provides the platform for everyone to become a tourism ambassador.
“But how can you be an ambassador if you have not sampled the product?” he questioned, while urging participating businesses to offer affordable specials that are available only at the event.
“This is not about commercial business. This is that if someone has gone to a hotel or gone on an attraction, has actually enjoyed it, they can go and talk about it,” he said. “We need everyone here to be an ambassador for tourism.”
A 2011 report by the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Association indicated that tourism contributes 74 per cent to Antigua & Barbuda’s Gross Domestic Product, the highest percentage of all regional countries.
I have stayed at Copper & Lumber, Grand Pineapple, Curtain Bluff and others over the years when I need a break and do not want to fly, I want to use the facilities, it works. But huge money on an Expo, a waste of time. The stalls are great but where are the people? Farnsworth is right, an email campaign exclusive to LOCALS who are assured of VIP treatment and some great incentives to enhance the basic product. We locals are the ambassadors of A&B. Save the expo money or if you are intent on spending it….put it towards a local stay. Asking the participants to pay up again and again is not on if you can not get buy in from the people. That is a trade show. Think smart….or just try thinking. Big congrats to all who participated, you did a great job. But the expo is fundamentally flawed. Better you ask the properties and organizations to open there doors to locals and provide extra incentives whilst you concentrate on publicity etc.
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Why do I want to sleep in a hotel when I live so close to my home? Not to trash the idea but how about season passes to use the beach facilities?
When folks do that vacation at home they get certain discounts for being locals. I went to Disney and persons living in that state got a discount. I don’t see any for Antiguans.
You can’t compare this to the US when they do it they drive quite a distance and need a hotel.
I’m an Antigua not living too far from anything used to getting things for free like beach. Now convince me why I want to come to your house and play on your beach? Will I get to go sailing? snorkling? will you feed me? bring me a drink at a good price or a tourist price.
Will you treat me like dirt because I am a local or will you treat me like a royal because you know I can and might come back?
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