The St. Kitts Tourism Authority has been welcomed into Virtuoso’s select group of luxury travel partners, opening doors to fresh sales and marketing avenues for the consortium’s high-end travel advisors and their clientele.
“Virtuoso’s acceptance process is incredibly selective, so becoming a preferred partner is a true honor,” said Kelly Fontanelle, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, in a press statement. “The reputation Virtuoso member agencies have for outstanding dedication to their clients is a perfect fit with our own bespoke approach to service. Now that we’re part of this renowned network, we look forward to offering Virtuoso advisors and their clients the special amenities, values and experiences that surpass their expectations.”
This collaboration allows for marketing opportunities through various Virtuoso channels, including the annual Virtuoso Travel Week event. The partnership also facilitates direct connections with leading leisure travel agencies across North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.
St. Kitts distinguishes itself within the Virtuoso network through its dedication to tailored travel experiences. The destination emphasizes environmentally conscious tourism and authentic cultural engagement, offering your clients a balanced mix of adventure and relaxation.
St. Kitts: Increased Airlift and Year-Round Appeal
St. Kitts has seen a notable increase in airlift, particularly from the Northeast U.S. market. “We are very excited that we have more airlift out of the U.S. market, which is our biggest market,” shared Fontanelle in a recent chat with Recommend. This development aims to transform St. Kitts from a primarily cruise destination to a year-round vacation spot.
In 2024, American Airlines started Saturday flights from Charlotte and New York’s JFK through Aug. 30, 2025. Delta joined the New York route with Saturday service starting Jan. 11 through Apr. 12, 2025. For New Jersey-based clients, United Airlines runs Saturday flights from Newark.
Fontanelle encourages visitors to “venture deeper” beyond the resorts. “We want visitors to get out of the resorts and to see what else St. Kitts has because we are more than just the sun and the sea and the beach,” Fontenelle explains, highlighting the island’s many attractions, including cuisine, festivals, mountains and more. Fontenelle emphasizes its potential in the romance and culinary markets: “We are perfectly positioned for destination weddings. We have some amazing locations…And we have some amazing food. The culinary market is something that we want to grow .”
Of note is the island’s renowned “Summer of Fun,” which includes various activities from music festivals to restaurant weeks.
St. Kitts’ Commitment to Travel Advisors
The tourism authority is doubling down on its commitment to travel advisors. Fontenelle states, “We really want to go strong in the trade because we believe that travel agents are a big part of selling a destination.” Additionally, Fontanelle points to the St. Kitts Your Way (SKY) program, which provides travel advisors with discounted accommodations and attractions, allowing them to experience the island firsthand. The authority plans to conduct more familiarization trips and provide more extensive education about the destination.
For more information, visit stkittstourism.kn.
