Travel Writers and Tour Operators Very Impressed with Montserrat

The latest news from the Montserrat Tourist Bureau indicates that tourism is likely to pick up on the island. Since tourism is one of the economic necessities, this is great news.

The following is a press release from the Montserrat Tourisy Board

During the period June 30 – July 9 the Montserrat Tourist Board hosted eight travel writers and tour operators from the US, UK and Austria and the feedback from these persons has been overwhelmingly positive. All the writers and operators agreed that Montserrat had a unique but marketable tourism product and were particularly impressed with the warmth and friendliness of the people. As a result Montserrat will be featured in two new tour operators’ programmes in the UK and Germany and a number of favourable editorial pieces will be written in several travel publications.

The first to visit Montserrat was Hilary Lee, Managing Director of Divequest (www.divequest.co.uk), a UK-based tour operator that specializes in dive packages to unique and small destinations. While on island Ms. Lee dived for four days with the Green Monkey and Sea Wolf Dive shops, went on an island tour, visited the Montserrat National Trust, the MVO and hiked the Oriole Trail. An e-mail message from her to the MTB after she returned to the UK reads:
“My week on Montserrat was lovely and I was particularly impressed by the warmth and personality of the people of Montserrat. That, combined with the wonderful natural resources that you have on the island, make a great foundation for a diving holiday. I will be working on my material for the diving trips over the next week or so and will have pleasure in including Montserrat in our Divequest 2007 programme.”

Next came an Austrian press and tour operator group, who visited Montserrat for a day on July 5. The contingent, comprising of five travel writers and the owner of a tour operator were already in Antigua for the week, hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism. The MTB’s German representative, Basic Services Group, was able to include a trip to Montserrat, particularly as there are now weekly direct flights from Germany to Antigua. While on island, the group visited all the major sites and attractions and all commented favourably on the quality of the product.

The lone tour operator in the group was Sylvia Marek, managing director of the Austrian tour operator Sunny Islands. Ms. Marek indicated that Montserrat will be included in their winter 2006 tour package programme.

From July 5-9, Montserrat was visited by Bradley Kovach, the Senior Editor of Caribbean Travel and Life. Caribbean Travel and Life was established in 1985, and is written for the upscale traveler interested in vacationing in the Caribbean. The magazine has a circulation of 155,529 and Mr. Bradley was here to do research for a feature piece on Montserrat, which should be out before the end of this year. His itinerary included hiking; an island tour; visits to a variety of tourist accommodation; tours of the MVO and the Montserrat National Trust; and sampling the cuisine at various restaurants. He also found time to learn to dive and did his first dive ever at Rendezvous. Mr. Bradley was also able to meet briefly with the Hon. Chief Minister and the Governor. A number of tourism stakeholders on island contributed to the success of these trips and the MTB would like to thank them once again for their generous support and time.