St. Kitts Tourism Authority Participates in the St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART)

Drunisha Hanley, Caribbean Marketing Officer at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, recently represented the island at the St. Martin’s Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) held from March 31st to April 2nd, 2025. This pivotal business-to-business event served as a nexus for travel professionals, connecting agents, tour operators, and global vendors within the tourism industry. SMART provided a dynamic platform for fostering collaboration, sharing industry insights, and forging valuable partnerships. Hanley’s participation underscored St. Kitts’ commitment to solidifying its position as a leading Caribbean destination.

Hanley engaged in productive discussions with influential tour operators and vendors, including major airlines like Copa Airlines, JetBlue Vacations, and Air Canada Vacations, as well as prominent players in the travel industry like Hotelbeds USA Inc., Cruise Planners, Lamb Luxury Travel, and Hopscotch Tourism Netherlands. These interactions provided a strategic opportunity to showcase the unique charm and diverse offerings of St. Kitts, emphasizing its rich cultural heritage, vibrant festivals, and unspoiled natural beauty. The meetings facilitated the exchange of ideas, fostering collaborative efforts to promote travel to the island and tailor experiences that resonate with the evolving preferences of today’s travelers. Hanley’s active presence at SMART served to strengthen existing partnerships and cultivate new relationships within the tourism sector.

Kelly Fontenelle, Chief Executive Officer at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, highlighted the significance of the Caribbean market for the island’s tourism growth strategy. She emphasized the importance of SMART as a platform for engaging with regional partners and reinforcing St. Kitts’ appeal as a must-visit destination. Fontenelle underscored the Tourism Authority’s commitment to enhancing its regional outreach through targeted media campaigns, ensuring that St. Kitts remains a top-of-mind choice for Caribbean travelers. This strategic approach aims to establish St. Kitts not merely as another vacation spot but as a gateway to an authentic Caribbean experience.

Hanley strategically positioned St. Kitts as a unique and captivating destination within the Caribbean landscape. She emphasized the island’s rich cultural tapestry, highlighting signature events like the St. Kitts Music Festival, St. Kitts-Nevis Restaurant Week, and the vibrant Sugar Mas Carnival. These celebrations offer visitors a taste of the island’s authentic spirit, immersing them in the music, cuisine, and festive traditions that define its cultural identity. By showcasing these distinctive offerings, Hanley effectively differentiated St. Kitts from other Caribbean islands, emphasizing its unique appeal to discerning travelers.

A central theme of Hanley’s promotional efforts was the “Summer Unscripted” campaign, a novel initiative designed to capture the island’s inherent beauty and spontaneous spirit. This campaign encourages visitors to embrace the unplanned and discover the authentic essence of St. Kitts. The campaign aims to draw travelers beyond the typical tourist itinerary, inviting them to explore the heart of the island’s bustling streets, wander through its serene nature trails, and experience the vibrancy of its local markets firsthand. This emphasis on unscripted experiences aligns perfectly with the changing dynamics of the travel industry, catering to the growing demand for authentic and immersive travel experiences.

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority’s participation in SMART exemplifies its commitment to forging strong partnerships with global tourism stakeholders. The event served as a valuable platform for promoting the island’s unique attributes, establishing lasting connections within the industry, and ensuring that St. Kitts maintains its strong presence within a highly competitive market. By actively engaging with travel professionals and highlighting St. Kitts’ distinct offerings, Hanley effectively positioned the island as a premier destination for travelers seeking culturally rich and authentic experiences. The “Summer Unscripted” campaign further reinforces this message, inviting visitors to embrace the island’s unspoiled beauty and uncover its hidden gems. The Authority’s proactive approach underscores its dedication to promoting sustainable tourism growth and solidifying St. Kitts’ reputation as a truly unforgettable Caribbean destination.