The Caribbean Tourism Organization has reported a “significant” rise in membership of its UK and Europe arm during the coronavirus lockdown and is planning a series of agent roadshows later this year.
Four new members - the Dominican Republic, Curacao, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba and Bequia Beach Resort - have all recently joined, taking the CTO’s overall regional membership to 65.
During the pandemic, the CTO has hosted weekly virtual meetings for members to hear from a number of industry figures – including Reed Travel Exhibitions’ Simon Press and Kuoni boss Derek Jones.
Colin Pegler, CTO UK and Europe chapter chair, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our new members. A key objective of the chapter is to grow and expand membership and its extremely positive to see that despite the challenges at the present time the value of being part of a membership organisation is recognised.
“Our comprehensive events programme and weekly meetings give members access to the travel trade and our proactive and operational support across areas as diverse as IT, sustainable tourism development and marketing in invaluable to those with smaller budgets.”
With ten Caribbean destination now declared “Covid-free”, the region is opening up to tourists. Antigua and Jamaica have already begun receiving visitors and the Dominican Republic is focused on a 1 July reopening.
To support its recovery, the CTO will host a series of agent roadshows in September in Ireland, Plymouth, Bristol, Oxford and London to help drive bookings for autumn and winter.