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St. Kitts and Nevis Officials, along with stakeholders and UK representatives, highlighted the destination’s tourism product for 35 high-profile media, hosted in the magnificent library of the Travellers Club in London’s Pall Mall.

Representatives of both islands spoke in one voice, highlighting the uniqueness of St. Kitts and Nevis, ‘Two-Islands, One Paradise’ to media who represented the UK consumer and trade media sectors, the blogging fraternity, freelance travel writers, lifestyle writers and niche journalists for luxury, romance, diving and yachting.

The media event segment of Destination St. Kitts and Nevis allows both stakeholders and journalists the opportunity to meet on a one-to-one basis; and for stakeholders to share their Hotel, Destination Management Company (such as this Global DMC) or Private Aviation Terminal Services. An opportunity not always realised for all stakeholders with journalists.

Amongst the key media in attendance were Wendy Driver of Mail on Sunday; Marjorie Yue, Sunday Mirror; Lisa Grainger, freelance; Paul Scudamore, Editor-in-Chief of Travel Bulletin; Jennifer Morris, Travel Weekly; Kate Lam, Noted Mag and notable bloggers, Travel Bunny, The Gentleman Traveller and Travel with Kate.

The delegation consisting of The Honourable Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce; Chairman, Nick Menon, CEO Racquel Brown and CEO Greg Phillips respectively of the St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism Authorities, addressed the audience during the evening with Minister Grant leading the announcements of the new destination product.

London also provided the platform for Minister Grant to personally meet with a small selection of UK journalists at a luncheon hosted at the prestigious offices of the Telegraph Media Group (TMG), accompanied by Chairman of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Nick Menon and CEO, Racquel Brown.

Before meeting journalists, the delegation were given an opportunity to view the buzz of the Telegraph newsroom, the hub of the organisation while, later, an ‘experience’ tour highlighted how TMG had successfully evolved into the multi-platform digital operation it is today.

The attending media guests represented journalists from the Telegraph newspaper including Charlie Starmer-Smith, Nigel Tisdall and Sara Gordon in addition to Sophia Heath from Boat International; Golf writer and property journalist, Peter Swain; freelancers Judy Bastyra and Judith Baker; Sara Macefield from TTG and George Ruddock, from The Voice newspaper.

Following a welcome by the CEO, media were treated to a new 10-minute destination video showcasing the history, culture, food, hospitality, accommodation, spa and golf product, before

Minister Grant also spoke about new luxury developments. “As you have seen, we now enjoy the first YU Lounge in the Caribbean; the largest Mega-Yacht Marina at Christophe Harbour and the Belle Mont Farm cottage hotel and Irie Fields golf course, at Kittitian Hill. Over the next two years, we will also be opening the Park Hyatt, St. Kitts, another first for the Caribbean; Embassy Suites by Hilton, St. Kitts; Koi Resort & Residences and a Radisson managed hotel”.

Attending media were impressed with the destination’s stance on sustainability as Minister Grant emphasised that it was critical to maintaining the destination’s Culture, Heritage and Natural Environment, “We will continue to ensure that all new construction adheres to best practices. While our growth is strong, it will not be explosive or disturb the natural tranquillity and charm of St. Kitts”.

Media were presented with a special bottle of rum and St. Kitts-Nevis journalist packet, which included literature and items that offered a ‘taste of the destination’.