Antigua And Barbuda Appoints New Director Of Tourism For Canada

TORONTO, Ontario July 6, (PRIDE) — The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) has appointed Colin Skerritt as its Director of Tourism for Canada, effective yesterday.

In a media release, the ABTA said this “newly created role affirms the twin-island nation’s commitment to strengthening ties to building tourism.”

Skerritt, who is of Antiguan heritage, is an experienced and well-established travel tourism professional in the Canadian travel and airline industry, having implemented travel marketing programs across Canada and in Antigua and Jamaica for more than 10 years.

“We are delighted to appoint Colin Skerritt, as Director of Tourism, Canada,” said Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy, Asot Michael. “Our objective is to increase (the) visibility and prominence of Antigua and Barbuda in Canada. With a new airport, increased opportunities for airlift and multiple new properties on the horizon, it is an exciting time to take on this role and Colin’s experience makes him the most qualified to achieve these goals.”

Skerritt joined Air Canada in 2010 as a Global Accounts Manager with responsibilities for travel revenue growth in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and UK. While at Air Canada, he managed the airline’s largest corporate and leisure travel management partners.

Prior to Air Canada, he worked for Virgin Atlantic Airways as a Corporate Sales Manager, developing strategic travel partnerships in Antigua, Jamaica and St. Lucia with a focus on the expansion of Caribbean business travel to the United Kingdom.

“Antigua has always been a very special place for me, as it is the island where my parents were raised, said Skerritt, adding that the twin-island country “offers Canadians an extraordinary Caribbean tourism experience.

“It is truly an exciting time to be in this role as Antigua and Barbuda are well positioned for exciting growth”.

Skerritt, who holds a Graphic Communication Management Degree, from Ryerson University in Toronto, recently gained significant press coverage as the host of the Air Canada Vacations national program rollout, which featured a series of town hall press events for over 3,500 travel agents across Canada.

In his new position, Skerritt, who is based in Toronto, will be responsible for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority operations in Canada.