A.T.A. UK
Unite Caribbean
ATA-UK along with four hotel partners also attended Unite Caribbean in London for a successful and positive day of one to one meetings with Caribbean buyers. On an agent side we attended the Travel Counsellors Caribbean Takeover Day in London and three more regional Destination Caribbean roadshow events, training over 65 travel agents. Finally we met with 52 journalists and influencers at the CTO Meet the Media Event.
Inaugural Flight
March welcomed the British Airways inaugural flight from London Gatwick to Aruba. This momentous occasion has opened the gateway and opportunities between the UK and Aruba. The welcome as BA 2157 touched down in Aruba was incredibly special with the linear park lined with cars and people waving. The delegation and customers on board were met with a wonderful Aruban welcome at the gate, followed by a local press conference and official welcome to British Airways.
Product Managers British Airways Fam Trip
As part of the inaugural flight we had three groups also on island. Firstly we had the VIP tour operator fam trip that consisted of seven tour operators and Marc James the BA Partnership Manager from British Airways. We split our time between the Tamarijn All inclusive and Renaissance Windcreek Resort. There were a plethora of site inspections across a full range of products and many wonderful hosted dinners on the beach. The group consisted of product managers from Kuoni, British Airways Holidays, Destinology, Dial a Flight (Lotus Group), Tropical Sky, Travel Counsellors and Up and Away Travel. The group left with a very positive experience and much greater understanding of the island.
Telegraph Press Trip
Travel writer and journalist, James Henderson also joined the flight and has his own separate itinerary to experience the more in-depth side of Aruba. He interviewed local chefs and experienced both kayaking and mountain biking. He was hosted at Bucuti, but joined the fam group for dinner on the first evening. His article should be published within the next few weeks.
British Airways social team on island
The final group on island was a British Airways social media executive and PR manager, along with Arelis Spanner, an Aruban who acts as cabin crew for British Airways. Their remit was to gain local content and footage to be used on BA’s social media channels and blog for the coming months.
