Discover Dominica Authority remains focused on fulfilling its mandate to increase the number of visitors to the island by effective participation at trade and consumes shows. Earlier in March, officials from Discover Dominica Authority concluded two major trade events in London and New York. Both events provided a fantastic opportunity for the Dominica team to educate the travel trade on key destination updates and product news promoting Dominica to Caribbean specialists and international visitors as a key destination for 2022/23.
On March 14, 2022, the Dominica delegation comprising of the CEO/Director of Tourism at Discover Dominica Authority, Colin Piper, and representative from Brighter Group/FINN Partners participated in UNITE Caribbean which took place at the QE II Centre in Westminster, London. UNITE Caribbean is a well-established ‘one-stop shop’ trade event for UK and European based tour operators to hold pre-booked one-on-one meetings with tourist boards, representation companies and hoteliers from the Caribbean region. The Dominica team met with 16 trade partners at the UNITE Caribbean tradeshow over one day in a speed dating format. Meetings were held with key trade partners representing airlines, luxury tour operators and specialty tour operators including Caribtours and Tropic Breeze, as well as product development partners with Virgin Holidays, Scott Dunn, and Elegant Resorts.
Additionally on March 15, 2022, the Dominican team along with Public Relations Agent for Secret Bay and Fort Young Hotel met with 12 journalists from some of UK’s top travel publications for a trade hosted event in the form of a Media Breakfast in the esteemed Pelican Room at the Ivy, Victoria. During that time, the Dominica delegation took the opportunity to discuss the new destination brand identity, as well as destination attributes that the press could cover on press trips. Updates were provided on destination access from the UK and alliances with regional airlines, product enhancement and relaxed entry protocols.
Similarly, the New York Adventure Travel Show and hosted trade event were considered successful. On March 17, a three-hour hosted trade and media event took place at the Cathedrale – a private garden space covered in greenery located near East Village in New York. Approximately 30 trade and media partners were in attendance to meet with the Dominican team. Attendees viewed the destination presentation about the island’s access, hotel development and how they can sell the destination to their niche customers. They fielded many questions to the team and Kimberly King, Destination Marketing Manager, and left more enlightened about Dominica’s tourism product.
This was followed by a three-day trade show, the New York Adventure Travel Show from March 18 – 20, 2022. This tradeshow was attended by tourist boards, destination management companies, hotels, airlines and tour operators from the the Americas, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia. The event sparked a fresh level of excitement with many attendees declaring that travel is back!
Dominica’s representatives highlighted the destination’s key attractions to attendees looking for unique, immersive vacation experiences in the Caribbean. American Airlines’ new direct flight from Miami, new travel protocols for US travelers, hotel updates, new destination branding, upcoming island events and itineraries were heavily promoted.
DDA extends special thanks to hotel partners Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski – Dominica and Fort Young Hotel for providing two prize giveaways for these events. Both events in London and New York were successful, and consumers and trade alike were excited to meet in person after two years to learn more about the latest news and updates from Dominica.
