#TurksandCaicos, December 15, 2023 – Experience Turks and Caicos joined a delegation of seven hoteliers from the Turks and Caicos Islands at ILTM Cannes which ran from December 4th to 7th, 2023.
ILTM Cannes is a leading trade show for luxury travel and brings together travel specialists with hoteliers and tourism agencies from luxury destinations around the world.
Mrs. Candesha Mills, Product Development Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos, represented the organisation at the four-day trade show held at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France.
The trade show centres around one-on-one appointments and networking sessions which allowed tourism stakeholders from the Turks and Caicos Islands to meet, and do business with influential Travel Advisors in the luxury market with the aim of increasing visitation and spend on island.
Promoting the Turks and Caicos Islands at ILTM Cannes further positions the destination as a preferred choice for luxury travelers in the United Kingdom and Europe. The gateway to those markets has opened up significantly with the launch of a twice-weekly, non-stop Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow, London to Providenciales and appeals to guests looking for ease of travel.
Ms. Racquel Brown, Change Manager and Interim CEO, Experience Turks and Caicos, said the participation of Experience Turks and Caicos at ILTM Cannes was, therefore, a great opportunity to ensure the Turks and Caicos Islands is at the top of mind for Luxury Travel Advisors when recommending luxury destinations to their clients for 2024 and beyond.
“By emphasising our new marketing thrust in the UK and Europe as a multi-island destination we will increase visitation beyond Providenciales and thereby expand economic opportunities for our communities and stakeholders in our sister islands through day tours and overnight stays which increases spend on island,” she said.
During the trade show, Ms. Mills met with Travel Advisors from several European countries.
“I was privileged to engage with distinguished representatives from Armenia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Turkey, The Netherlands, USA, UK, and Ukraine. It was a collaborative effort dedicated to highlighting the richness and uniqueness that the Turks and Caicos Islands offer to travellers worldwide,” she said.
Mr. Kashmie Ali, Managing Director of Sailrock Resort was part of the delegation. He said: “We’ve been thrilled to be a part of the Turks and Caicos team at ILTM and are honoured to bring Sailrock and South Caicos to such a premier and prestigious global stage. The feedback from the agencies we have been meeting with is not only encouraging but exciting for the entirety of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Mr. Grant Noble, COO of Beach Enclave also expressed satisfaction with his experience at ILTM Cannes.
“We had a wonderful experience at ILTM Cannes, the premier luxury travel show – especially exhibiting with our colleagues on Turks & Caicos Islands. Appointments were quite productive, giving us the opportunity to present our unique product to both existing and new agency partners. We look forward to attending 2024’s ILTM with Turks and Caicos,” he said.
The delegation to ILTM Cannes also comprised Ms. Sara Burnett, Marketing Sailrock Resort; Ms. Rebecca Sajous, Director of Leisure Sales, Beach Enclave; Mr. Ling Riley, Director of Sales, The Palms Turks and Caicos; Ms. Karen Whitt, VP Sales and Marketing, The Shore Club Turks and Caicos, Ms. Victoria Crammer, Paradise Promotions, The Shore Club Turks and Caicos; Ms. Francine Stewart, Director of Sales and Marketing, Ambergris Cay; Andreas Naegele, VP of Hospitality, Turks and Caicos Collection; and Ms. Melina Farla, VP Branded Operations, Sales and Marketing, Salterra Resort, South Caicos.
Photo Captions:
Header: Mrs. Candesha Mills (Right) with Daniela Guerra of Creative Travel, Mexico (Middle) and Ms. Melina Farla, VP Branded Operations, Sales and Marketing, Salterra Resort, South Caicos (Left).
Insert: Candesha Mills, Product Development Manager, Experience Turks and Caicos with Ms. Nicole Eagles, ALG Vacations, UK
About the Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos Islands is made up of two groups of islands in the Lucayan Archipelago: The larger Caicos Islands and the smaller Turks Islands, thus the name. It is home to the best beaches in the world with majestic white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Each island and cay are a destination of its own. Providenciales is home to world-renowned Grace Bay Beach, luxury hotels, resorts, villas, spas and restaurants. Grand Turk is ‘home away from home’ for our cruise passengers, and our sister islands are the gateway to nature, exploration, and culture. Considered the world’s best-kept secret, TCI is an effortless escape – with an ease of connectivity through direct flights from major cities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.