CITA plans marketing summit to help boost tourism

(CNS): The private sector tourism body, which includes around 200 businesses in the industry, will be holding its first ever marketing summit in May in order to find ways to help improve the sector’s economic fortunes. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) said it plays an integral role in coordinating international promotions that are advertised through the Department of Tourism, and with the help of a new marketing committee it hopes to provide more ideas and feedback from the industry. The summit was one of the ideas to come from the new committee’s first meeting, along with its aim to plan international promotions and provide more marketing recommendations.

The new committee is co-chaired by Tom McCallum and Melissa Ladley, both of whom have long-standing marketing experience and CITA involvement, the organisation said in a release this week.

The committee plans to hold meetings with the CITA membership to share ideas and information and invite input and feedback from those in the business. The next CITA General Marketing Meeting will be held in conjunction with their first Annual Marketing Summit, which has been scheduled for 2-4 May at Camana Bay. The summit will include a panel discussion with the general membership and a series of workshops and breakout meetings over the three days, CITA stated.

In the goal to find compelling promotions that are in line with the Cayman brand, the committee said it is working on an eight month lead time to plan promotions to ensure that adequate time is allocated for stakeholder involvement.

“Through research and consultation this committee will provide a series of formal recommendations with regards to the general marketing and promotions strategies and execution for the Cayman Islands,” CITA revealed in the statement. These proposals will be submitted to the DoT and the Ministerial Council for Tourism and Development.

Members of the marketing committee include
Harry Lalli, Brickhouse/Treasure Island– CITA President
Trina Savage Christian – CITA Executive Director
Tom McCallum, TheReef – CITA Condo/Villa Director
Melissa Ladley, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Markus Mueri , Abacus/Deckers/Prime – CITA Restaurant Director Nominee
Nadia Hardie, Sunshine Suites – CITA Hotel Director
Nancy Easterbrook, DiveTech – CITA Director
Steve Broadbelt, Ocean Frontiers – CITA Immediate Past President
Danielle Wolfe – Caribbean Club

The next General Meeting is CITA’s AGM (Annual General Meeting) on 14 April at the Marriott Beach Resort from 3:30pm to 5:30pm where the 2011/12 CITA Board of Directors will be elected into office. For more information about CITA contact info@cita.ky or 345-949-8522.