ST.JOHN'S Antigua, April 2nd, 2012 -- Antigua and Barbuda has received yet another award in the weddings and honeymoon category. As the destination prepares to launch the sixth year of the June is Romance Month promotion, the destination has been voted Most Romantic Caribbean Destination in About.com’s Romantic Reader’s Choice Award.
The twin island destination received 62% of the popular vote, beating other Caribbean finalists -- St. Lucia, Jamaica and the Bahamas. The on-line contest ran for three weeks in March and readers were allowed to vote once a day. About.com is part of the New York Times group of companies and is named ”Best of the Web” in Romantic Travel, by Forbes Magazine and is ranked as a Top 10 Travel Blog.
Earlier this year, the destination was voted “Sexiest Destination” by Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine and last year, BRIDES Magazine ranked Antigua and Barbuda among the top 10 Honeymoon Destinations in the Caribbean.
US Director of Tourism, Derede Samuel-Whitlock, believes that despite budget limitations, this year’s Romance promotions will be executed at a very high level. “By integrating the About.com winner’s seal into our marketing collateral will help solidify Antigua and Barbuda’s image as a premier destination for weddings and honeymoons and help reinforce our core message.” Whitlock hinted that this year’s promotions will highlight unique experiences for couples who may already be thinking outside the traditional wedding and honeymoon box.
There will also be a greater focus on education and awareness to better position weddings and honeymoons as a lucrative niche market for Antigua and Barbuda. In October, a two-day Romance and Wedding Showcase will feature renowned wedding planner Preston Bailey. The event will target consumers and a cross section of stakeholders involved in the sales and marketing, planning and execution of weddings and honeymoons, in an effort to better align in-market sales and promotions with local operations and service delivery.
The June is Romance Promotion launched in 2006, is designed to drive high profile and profitable romance business to the destination with off-season tourism specials, romance-themed deals and offers for weddings, honeymoons and couples’ retreats.
The Celebrity Destination wedding will once again be the highlight of the program and as in previous years, a lucky couple will receive an all expenses paid wedding through the support of sponsors and stakeholders.
Over the years, the program has highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s competitive advantage of not requiring residency for couples to get married, thereby facilitating expedited weddings, including same day weddings for cruise passengers during their port time.
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