The Anguilla Tourist Board successfully launched it 2007 marketing initiatives in the Puerto Rican market with participation (for the first time) in the Caribbean Bridal Expo held at the San Juan Convention Centre during February 11-12 2007. The ATB seized the opportunity to showcase the island as the ideal place for destination weddings and honeymoons. |
To further support this initiative, the Anguilla Tourist Board was joined by a number of private sector partners (providing services relating to weddings/events) including hotels/villas, event planners, florists and photo studios & catering services. The Anguilla Tourist Board recognizing the huge potential the Puerto Rican market offers (given its proximity and direct air access via Am Eagle’s twice daily flights) has created a marketing program with objectives of not only increasing awareness of the island but overall to increase visitor arrivals from the Puerto Rican Market. The Caribbean Bridal Expo now in its 8th year attracted over 300 exhibitors from Caribbean wedding suppliers, over 15 Caribbean islands offering destination weddings and honeymoon services and over 16,000 wedding couples and visitors. Organisers of the event indicated that it had gained the attention of Conde Nast (publisher for major Bridal magazines and other travel magazines) and it was expected on the completion of negotiations with Conde Nast to have a working relationship with the media house for next year’s show. It is anticipated that the event will be bigger and better with more international market reach and the potential to become the premier Brica Expo for the Caribbean region. |