TORONTO — The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority announced that Colin Skerritt, of Antiguan heritage, has been named Director of Tourism, Canada, based in Toronto. Canada is the island’s third biggest international market for tourism, and the Tourism Authority intends to ramp up engagement with Canadians, starting with the launch of an upcoming episode on Voyages.
“We are delighted to appoint Colin Skerritt as Director of Tourism, Canada,” said Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “Our objective is to increase visibility and prominence of Antigua and Barbuda in Canada. With a new airport, increased opportunities for airlift and multiple new properties on the horizon, it is an exciting time to take on this role and Colin’s experience makes him the most qualified to achieve these goals.”
Skerritt is an experienced and well-established travel tourism professional in the Canadian travel and airline industry, with experience implementing travel marketing programs across the world as well as working with the travel trade.
He joined Air Canada in 2010 as a Global Accounts Manager with responsibilities for travel revenue growth in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and UK. While at Air Canada, Skerritt managed the airline’s largest corporate and leisure travel management partners, and also lead the Air Canada Vacations relationship. Prior to Air Canada, he worked for Virgin Atlantic Airways as a Corporate Sales Manager developing strategic travel partnerships in Antigua, Jamaica and St. Lucia with a focus on the expansion of Caribbean business travel to the United Kingdom.
Skerritt was also the host of the Air Canada Vacations national program rollout which featured a series of town hall events for over 3,500 travel agents across Canada.
“Antigua has always been a very special place for me as it is the island where my parents were raised. Antigua offers Canadians an extraordinary Caribbean tourism experience. It is truly an exciting time to be in this role as Antigua and Barbuda are well positioned for exciting growth,” Skerritt said.
Last night in Toronto, Antigua and Barbuda premiered the upcoming episode of Voyages focusing on Antigua and Barbuda. The show will air in 50 countries and on Air Canada flights, showcasing the music, food and culture of the islands.
