Antigua Breaking News

Top Trusted News Source in Antigua

Search
Previous slide
Next slide

ABTA welcomes more than 100 Canadian travel agents

Share this article:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has planned a strong start to the upcoming winter season with a four-day Mega Fam to the destination in partnership with Air Canada Vacations (ACV).

Dubbed Sun, Sea & Sand, arriving on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and returning on Friday, Nov. 22, the familiarisation trip will expose agents to 11 of the islands’ most beautiful properties.

“Antigua and Barbuda is the perfect getaway for travelers from Canada, full of charm and character,” said Tameka Wharton, Sales and Marketing Manager, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “The goal of every FAM is that each agent will leave with a better understanding of the differentiating factors of the destination and by that be better able to advise clients.”

Wharton noted that the Mega Fam along with Air Canada’s increased airlift to the destination for the winter season, are all part of the tourist board’s strategic push for increased Canadian travel. Starting in December there will be five daily flights from Toronto Pearson to Antigua’s VC Bird International.

“We are thrilled to take the 146 agents from east to the west coast to visit the lovely island of Antigua and Barbuda,” said Marigold Frontuna, General Manager Sales, Western Canada, Air Canada Vacations, “Our philosophy at Air Canada is that in order to confidently sell the product you have to touch and feel the destination.“

The four-day ACV Sun, Sea & Sand Mega Fam will take 146 people (travel professionals, ACV representatives and journalists) on a chartered flight to Antigua where they will check into one of four host hotels, the Royalton Antigua Resort and Spa, Verandah Resort & Spa, St James’s Club & Villas and the Pineapple Beach Club. Thereafter, the participants will embark on a four-day journey of visiting hotels and resorts for site inspections, taking part in activities, including a special closing gala.

Be part of the conversation.

Let us know what you think by adding a comment below. Click here to start now!

“There is so much potential in the Canadian market for us,” Wharton said. “Canadians love to travel and are curious about the world, and we really have something unique to offer them. The genuine Antiguan and Barbudan hospitality and, as seen in Air Canada’s recent promo vid, the true Canadian spirit of kindness are a perfect match.”

The Mega Fam Trip is being supported by the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association as well as participating hotels.

Share this article:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Join the Conversation!

Comments are closed.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]