ST. KITTS TOURISM AUTHORITY LAUNCHES TRAVEL ADVISOR BOARD TO DRIVE STRATEGIC GROWTH

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) is proud to announce the official launch of the St. Kitts Travel Advisor Board, a collective of elite travel professionals dedicated to shaping the future of the destination’s travel trade landscape. This collaborative partnership brings together industry expertise and market intelligence to ensure St. Kitts remains a premier, competitive destination in the Caribbean.

The primary purpose of the Travel Advisor Board is to foster a synergy between experienced travel advisors and the SKTA. By leveraging the Board’s deep market perspective, St. Kitts aims to refine its destination positioning, inform innovative product development, and strengthen global awareness through the eyes of those who interact with the traveler daily.

“The launch of the Travel Advisor Board reflects our continued commitment to strengthening the relationship between St. Kitts and the travel advisor community,” said Kelly Fontenelle, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “By listening to and collaborating with our valued partners, we can stay agile in the face of global trends and evolving consumer behaviour, ensuring St. Kitts remains a competitive and sought-after destination. Travel advisors are the storytellers of our destination, and their insight is the bridge between our vision and the visitor’s experience.”

The partnership centers on a multidimensional approach to destination growth, blending high-level strategy with boots-on-the-ground advocacy. Members of the Board serve as vital consultants, providing quarterly strategic insights on emerging global trends while offering direct feedback on hotel products, excursions, and all-inclusive offerings to ensure they exceed traveler expectations.

Beyond the boardroom, these advisors act as official ambassadors, championing St. Kitts across their professional networks and participating in exclusive Familiarization (FAM) experiences. This collaborative framework ensures that the SKTA’s marketing and trade initiatives are not only innovative but also deeply rooted in actionable market data and authentic visitor needs.

Introducing the Board Members

Vinnie Vats (Canada): As the Managing Director of Travelair International Inc., Vinnie leads a premier Toronto-based agency with over 35 years of success. Transitioning the firm from wholesale to luxury retail, he specializes in high-end private villas, premium African safaris, and top-tier cruises. Under his leadership, the agency achieved Platinum status with Sandals Resorts. Vinnie brings a strategic focus on recruitment, training, and supplier partnerships to the board.

Paula Iwanski (USA – Southeast): Founder of The Art of Travel Company, a Virtuoso-affiliated boutique agency, Paula leverages a background in magazine sales and marketing to curate bespoke Caribbean experiences. Specializing in luxury resorts and villa rentals, she is known for her attention to detail and her ability to match affluent clients with the perfect destination, ensuring every itinerary is a unique "work of art."

Debra Hines Brown (USA – Southeast): CEO of SmartBird World Travel, Debra is a 50-year industry veteran whose influence spans seven continents. A member of the Northstar Travel Group Black Advisor Board, she is an expert in global luxury design, executive retreats, and affinity travel. Her focus on "sense-of-place" travel and product development provides the board with high-level insight into travel risk, compliance, and immersive guest experiences.

Christy Mackley (USA – Southeast): An independent advisor with The Journey Group Travel, Christy has spent two decades specializing in niche travel markets. She is a renowned expert in scuba diving expeditions and luxury Caribbean escapes. Her deep understanding of the active traveler and the logistics of island-based tourism provides invaluable feedback for St. Kitts’ adventure and marine-based product development.

Sara Purdy (USA – Northeast): Owner of Purdy’s Journeys LLC, Sara is an award-winning luxury advisor and a three-term Envoyage Ambassador. Having explored 42 countries, she possesses an expert eye for luxury resorts and ecotourism. Her firsthand knowledge of global hospitality trends allows her to offer practical recommendations on destination differentiation and sustainable growth for the St. Kitts market.

Judy Mason (United Kingdom): Known across the UK as "The Travel Lady," Judy is a multi-award-winning specialist with a reputation for creating tailor-made luxury journeys. She specializes in high-end family escapes and premium itineraries for the British traveler. Her expertise in the UK market is essential for refining St. Kitts’ positioning as a leading Caribbean choice for European holidaymakers.

Josanne Rogers-Shepherd (Caribbean): Founder of Mrs Dude Travels, Josanne is a specialist in Caribbean-centric logistics, group travel, and destination planning. Her approach is heavily driven by traveler behavior and market trends within the regional and international sectors. She is a fierce advocate for sustainable tourism and enhanced visitor engagement through thoughtful, insight-driven itinerary planning.

By bridging the gap between destination management and frontline expertise, this Board marks a new era of trade-centric collaboration, ensuring that St. Kitts not only meets the current demands of the global travel market but actively anticipates the future needs of the travel advisor community and their most discerning clients.