Barbados has won the bid to host the 2016 Caribbean Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (CMITE) event.

According to the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), the event is an opportunity for this country to increase its share of the Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions (MICE) travel market in the United States, and ultimately, arrivals from North America.

Director for the United States at the BTMI, Petra Roach, pointed out that the meeting was well poised to increase such arrivals as some ???165 top-tier North American MICE planners??? are expected to convene at the Hilton Barbados Resort from August 29 to September 1, for the 2016 CMITE.??She was speaking at the this year???s event, which was held earlier this month at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic.

“Hosting 165 of the top U.S. buyers on the island lends us the perfect platform to showcase the renowned hospitality, sights and sounds that Barbados has to offer. We are absolutely thrilled at the confidence invested in us by Questex in choosing Barbados as host destination for CMITE in 2016. Thanks to additional service by Delta and JetBlue airlines and newly opened resorts, now is the perfect time for the travel industry to reacquaint itself with Barbados,” she added.

Sharing in the announcement was Vice President of Global Events at Questex Travel Group, Marilyn McHugh, who endorsed the decision for Barbados to host the CMITE.??According to her, this country is known for its gracious and hospitable people, world-class beaches and fine-dining restaurants. “Barbados truly will be an exciting destination for our incentive travel buyers and suppliers,” she said.

CMITE meetings bring together buyers and suppliers who generate millions of dollars in business for host countries of MICE events. Many of these events fall during the softer fall months, reducing the seasonality of the tourism sector.??They also utilise the services of several ancillary tourism players, including entertainers, equipment rental companies and app developers. Persons may visit caribbean.incentivetravelexchange.com for more information.

kim.ramsay-moore@barbados.gov.bb

Author: BTMI/Kim Ramsay-Moore

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