Fam-tasy island

The Antigua tourist board hosted 24 agents on its 365 Mega Fam in May. Karl Cushing went along for the ride

DESTINATIONS — CAribbeAn

Ever wondered how to rustle up a winning fam trip? First,

get Travel Weekly to find you the ingredients (24 agents), then tip them on to a 108-square-mile island with 365 beaches, season with liberal dashes of sun and rum, and simmer for four nights.

That was the recipe the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and its partners Elite Island Resorts and British Airways used on their inaugural 365 Mega Fam in May. 

As tourism attache Maria Blackman says, it was a memorable and valuable experience for all concerned. 

“We were so delighted to have this opportunity to host such an enthusiastic group of travel agents on our first mega-fam,” she said.

“The agents truly embraced the island experience from the moment we set foot in Antigua.” 

It’s never been a difficult sell, but it’s soon to get even easier, with more flight options becoming available and a new £50 million airport terminal set to open next April. British Airways is adding an

extra Boeing 777 to its Gatwick fleet, which will result in one extra flight a week to Antigua next summer, taking the total to six.

Thomas Cook is launching a seasonal charter service from Manchester, running from December 19 until April 2014. Flights, which offer economy-only seats, are every Thursday, direct to Antigua and onwards to Barbados.

And if you need an excuse to clinch a sale, tell clients who love cricket but don’t fancy flying Down Under for the next Ashes series that they can indulge their love of the sound of leather on willow in Antigua – the England team will play One Day Internationals in Antigua on February 28, March 2 and March 5 next year.

l FI RST STE PS

When Stuart Clark from Kenwood Travel hijacked the mic of the welcoming singer at VC Bird Airport and treated us to an impromptu Bob Marley karaoke, he set the scene for five frenetic days of fun activities and

Antiguan hospitality with some education thrown in.

Our first port of call was Elite’s Verandah Resort & Spa, our home for two nights – the first of which got off to a flyer with a hosted dinner at Nicole’s Restaurant melting into a late night at the hotel bar. Next up would be two nights at sister property St James’s Club on Mamora Bay where we enjoyed hosted dinners at Dockside Restaurant and Piccolo Mondo, nicely lubricated with cocktails at Piccolo’s and Jacaranda. Some scheduled free time on the final day allowed us to check out the resort’s facilities.

l ACTION STATIONS

First up on the activity front was a spot of mini golf at Verandah. With prizes including a spa treatment on offer it was a hotly contested affair, drawing some seriously creative and cunning stroke play. While Flight Centre’s David Grande emerged victorious the

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DESTINATIONS — CAribbeAn

52 • travelweekly.co.uk — 26 September 2013

Splashing out: Curtain

Bluff is wooing UK guests

with free scuba diving

and a new kids’ club

ensuing cocktails and tasty fare at Buccaneer’s were a worthy consolation for the rest of us.

Considering Antigua’s self-styled status as the sailing capital of the Caribbean, one day was fittingly given over to some messing around on the water on an island circumnavigation catamaran cruise with Tropical Adventures.

The impressive bombing and cannonballing from the back of the boat ensured it wasn’t only the well-stocked bar and tasty BBQ lunch that took a hit, before being rounded off with some red-hot soca dancing action.

Carys Woolley, from Resort Marketing International’s sales and marketing team, said: “The catamaran trip gave a great view of the island and was one of my highlights, along with the last night at the Verandah, with

everyone dancing with the singer at the main bar.”

Another highlight was the trip to the Sunday night ‘jump up’ at Shirley Heights, arriving for the tail end of sunset as the sky dimmed over the twinkling lights of Nelson’s Dockyard beyond and the steel band cranked out such Caribbean staples as, er, Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive.

l ACCOM MODATION

The Verandah Resort & Spa won popularity points for its practical layout, not least the central entertainment area with the bulk of the food and beverage outlets spilling off the main pool area.

Other elements singled out for praise by the agents include its verdant 30-acre grounds, the two-bedroom villas added

HOTEL NEWS

Carlisle Bay will host children’s food expert Fiona Faulkner for two weeks from October 21, when she will lead workshops for guests aged up to 18, teaching cookery skills and healthy recipes, as well as leading excursions to a local pineapple farm and market. Faulkner will also develop new recipes for Carlisle Bay and train the hotel’s kids’ club staff and chefs. carlisle-bay.com

Nonsuch Bay Resort will celebrate Caribbean food in a four-week festival starting on November 11. Wine, champagne and rum-tastings, cooking demonstrations, gourmet street food, guest chef appearances and special tasting menus will be on offer. nonsuchbayresort.com

Curtain Bluff is introducing a new kids’ club, with two sessions a day, running five days a week, aimed at kids aged three to 10. Activities will include arts and crafts, baking, fishing, nature walks, and themed activities around Christmas and Easter. The club is included in the all-inclusive rate. The hotel will also extend its season for a month in 2014, remaining open until August 23 to make the most of the school summer holidays. curtainbluff.com

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TOP TIP Elite’s Antiguan

resorts host children’s literary

breaks with publisher

Puffin each summer featuring known authors

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DESTINATIONS — CAribbeAn

54 • travelweekly.co.uk — 26 September 2013

Crowded house: The

Mega Fam gang together

Jungle book: Galley Bay offers a more back-to-nature experience

in late 2011 and the inherent flexibility, including the choice of two beaches and five wedding gazebos. All who stayed in the Waterfront Suites commented on the lovely views.

The agents were also quick to note some of the selling points of the St James’s Club, where many rooms such as the spacious Royal Suite I stayed in open onto the beach, and the natural breeziness of the Atlantic side offers some welcome respite from the heat. 

If your clients have a hankering for jungly rustic charm then consider Elite’s Galley Bay Resort & Spa. Set amid a riot of green, its entry-level rooms comprise a small central plunge pool flanked by two thatched rondellas housing the bathroom and bedroom. They certainly divided opinion – not surprising given the agents’ varied client bases – but the beachfront Premier rooms proved popular.

Of the other sites visited, Sandals Grande Antigua drew

TEN MORE ANTIGUA GEMS

l See the island’s dark side on a full-moon zip-line canopy tour

l Explore the interior on a Segway or jeep safari

l Tee off on its two golf coursesl Catch rays of a different

kind at Stingray Cityl Curl your toes in the pink

sandy beaches of Barbudal Dine with the locals at

hangouts such as OJ’s on Crabb Hill beach

l Marvel at natural wonders such as Devil’s Bridge and Fig Tree Drive

l Delve into Antigua’s past at Nelson’s Dockyard and Dows Hill Interpretation centre

l See nesting Hawksbills on a Turtle Watch tour (July-Oct)

l Get hitched! There are loads of venue options and no local residency requirements

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DESTINATIONS — CAribbeAn

56 • travelweekly.co.uk — 26 September 2013

Light fantastic:

Agents praised

the beachfront

rooms at

St James Club

Art attack: high-spec

Carlisle Bay Resort is

a modernist marvel

Double

agents:

Kirsty

Ralphson

and Stuart

Clark

New deal:

Blue Waters

Resort & Spa

has undergone

significant

renovation

ANTIGUA: ThE AGENTS’ vIEw

Richie Berryman, senior sales consultant,

Cleveland Travel“Antigua is a

tranquil island and perfect for honeymooners

just looking to relax. The catamaran cruise gave a true

insight into the beauty of Antigua from a different angle. The

sea was unbelievably blue and refreshing, and everyone really let their hair down. I also loved

Shirley Heights for the views over the island, music and locals.”

Michaela Shortt, senior

reservations consultant,

Sunset Faraway Holidays

“Antigua is a beautiful island, like a huge flower garden full

of colours. It has a lot to offer, including top-quality hotels such as Curtain Bluff, Carlisle Bay and Blue Waters. I would particularly recommend it for weddings and

honeymoons because of the stunning settings and the warm,

a mixed response. While some praised elements such as the Mediterranean Village’s pool area, others said rooms were small and decor a little on the gaudy side.

At the other end of the budget, the mellow Carlisle Bay Resort pleased with its artfully minimalist stylings, high-spec suites and stately approach flanked by koi carp-filled ponds. “This is what most people’s idea of a Caribbean paradise is,” voiced one, although not all were convinced, in part due to its lofty rates.

Blue Waters Resort & Spa impressed with the whirlwind renovation it had received last September. In addition to facilities such as its Palm restaurant having received tasteful makeovers, a large amount of new landscaping and decking work was undertaken. The massive suites and penthouses were also popular, as was the wedding gazebo on Blue Waters point.

Last up, Curtain Bluff Resort “screams Caribbean”, assured our guide. Traditionally choked with repeating US visitors, a new sales agent has arrived to entice UK travellers with incentives such as reduced kids’ rates, free days and packages designed around its tennis club or incorporating complimentary scuba dives. Add in the enviable wine cellar and manicured grounds and it’s worth a look for monied clients. Tw

friendly atmosphere. I really enjoyed the catamaran trip and

seeing the little cove beaches that you can only get to by

boat, and the old ruins and forts dotted along the cliff edges.”

Kristina Baltrusyte, Caribbean specialist,

Best at Travel“My highlights

were Shirley Heights, with the most beautiful sunset

and Caribbean music in the

background; the catamaran trip and beautiful coastline; the Antiguan lady at Galley Bay bar teaching us about real Antiguan

rum punch; and the beautiful views from my Royal Suite at St James Club and my Waterfront

Suite at The Verandah. Since the trip I have made more sales for

higher room categories at the host hotels – those waterfront suites are definitely worth the extra money! Antigua is ideal

for those who aren’t keen on big resorts and want somewhere

where they can feel local charm.”