Brades, Montserrat, MTB -- Feb., 20, 2007 --- The Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) recently teamed up with Air Montserrat to undertake tourism promotional activities in the neighbouring islands of Nevis and Antigua.

The focus of these activities were five-fold: to reinforce the message that Montserrat is still open for business despite continued volcanic activity; to promote day trips and weekend getaway vacations to the island; to highlight the upcoming St. Patrick’s Week of activities; to provide information for yachts wanting to visit the island; and to publicise the fact the Montserrat is a viable alternative for World Cup Cricket visitors who want reasonably priced accommodations.

The Nevis promotional trip took place on January 31st, 2007 and was comprised of Philip Rogers and Marvin Jacobs of Air Montserrat and Ishwar Persad of the MTB. Following an eighteen (18) minute flight on Air Montserrat, the team convened at the Four Seasons Hotel for several meetings. A short presentation was made to a representative of the Four Seasons Hotel, to promoting the idea of day trips to Montserrat for their clients using Air Montserrat’s services. A media kit and other promotional materials were also presented to the Four Seasons Hotel. The team then met with representatives of the American University College (AUC) of Nevis, which currently has an intake of about 350 students. Again day trips were promoted, along with weekend getaways for the students and staff during mid-terms breaks and long weekends. Phone discussions also took place with the Director of the Nevis Tourism Authority Ms. Helen Kidd, who indicated that they would be more than happy to support the MTB and Air Montserrat’s efforts. The owner MTBs public relations agency in North America, Cheryl Andrews, who also represents the Nevis Tourism Authority and happened to be on vacation in Nevis, also sat in on the meetings. Following the meetings,
Cheryl Andrews produced and distributed a press release on Air Montserrat’s services and getaway vacations to Montserrat.

On February 8-9th, 2007, the MTB and Air Montserrat also teamed up for a promotional trip to Antigua. After a visit to the office of the Antigua Local Organising Committee for World Cup Cricket, a meeting was held with Ms. Elma Pigott Humphreys, the Managing Director of the Antigua Vacations Ltd, who is responsible for some of the accommodation arrangement for World Cup visitors. Antigua Vacations is also a major cruise ship agent and Ms. Humphreys expressed a strong interest in arranging day trips on Air Montserrat for her cruise clients. A meeting was then held with the Manager of St. James Travel & Tours, which represents several large UK tour operators in Antigua. The manager advised that her agency used to promote day trips to Montserrat but had stopped doing so following the cessation of ferry services. With day trip packages on Air Montserrat now being available, she indicated that they will once again be willing to offer these to their clients. Visits to Going Places Travel in St Johns and Novellas Travel in English Harbour also took place.

On the yachting front, the team also met with representative of Antigua Yacht Club Marina & Resort. Pertinent information for yachts wanting to visit Montserrat was passed on and several copies of a Montserrat yachting flyer for placement on their notice board and for distribution were given to the office.

For more information contact:
Montserrat Tourist Board
# 7 Farara Plaza, Buildings B&C
P.O. Box 7, Brades, Montserrat, WI
Tel: (664) 491-2230/8730 Fax: (664) 491-7430
E-mail: info@montserrattourism.ms
Website: www.visitmontserrat.com