Love was in the air last night as the Honourable Marsha Tamika Henderson, Minister of Tourism for the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, thanked the travel industry for their support, noting, “Your continued enthusiasm for St. Kitts has deepened our relationship and fuelled an unprecedented surge of interest in our brand.” 

In a special romance-themed travel industry event dubbed "An Evening of Romance & Travel Trends," the Hon. Minister, joined by both Ellison ‘Tommy’ Thompson, CEO, and Melnecia Marshall, Deputy CEO from the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, said, “I’m so excited to announce that Air Canada recently increased seat capacity to our destination by 66% with up to two direct flights a week from Toronto. The seasonal route begins in early November and continues through the end of April with Friday and Saturday departure options. This is the most airlift we have ever had in this market – a sure sign that Canadians have fallen for St. Kitts.”

The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Marsha Tamika Henderson, with TripCentral agent Liz Marquis, praised the agents in attendance for their incredible support of the destination.

The event, designed to highlight the island’s natural romanticism and further emphasize the destination’s push into the romance market, featured a keynote presentation from Alison McGill, Canada’s foremost authority on the romance industry.  In 2023, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority inked a comprehensive collaboration with McGill, an award-winning writer, creative producer, media personality, romance influencer and host of the Aisle Seat podcast. 

With romance considered one of the fastest-growing sectors coming out of the pandemic, the first-of-its-kind collaboration with McGill is a strategic move for the destination, helping it tap into her network and amplify the message that St. Kitts is tailor-made for romance.  With its raw natural beauty, adventurous activities that inspire bonding moments, and a welcoming vibe that makes it easy for couples to “disconnect to reconnect” with each other, “St. Kitts is the ultimate place to fall in love for the first time, or all over again,” said the Hon. Minister in her remarks.

Citing a recent study that shows travelling together enriches and builds relationships, McGill noted during her keynote that "Romantic travel is more important than ever.  Couples need to get away, get back to connecting with one another and St. Kitts is the dream destination for this because you can play in so many ways.  There is adventure in the rainforest, unique culinary experiences, plenty of luxury, incredible attractions, and so much more.  Couples are looking for destinations that are unique, authentic and offer the kind of exploration and immersion that helps them make new memories together.”

She also touched on the post-pandemic destination wedding market, emphasizing that, "The wedding boom is real and something that will continue well into 2025 with couples wanting to indulge their guests with a wedding experience, not just a ceremony.  A destination wedding is a beautiful way to do this, and St. Kitts is the kind of place modern couples are now putting on their consideration list.  And with sister island Nevis just a quick water taxi ride away, you get two dream destinations in one – a total paradise.”

Romance expert Alison McGill followed her keynote address with a presentation of four destination wedding looks that are on trend and ideal for brides getting married in St. Kitts.

McGill concluded her keynote with a fashion show that highlighted four fashion-forward styles that are on trend for destination weddings this year, including the mini, micro-sparkle, modern minimalist and cut-out wedding dress.

Ellison 'Tommy' Thompson, CEO and Melnecia Marshall, DCEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, joined guest speaker and romance expert Alison McGill for a 'fireside chat' about the natural romanticism of St. Kitts.

The evening wrapped up with a fireside discussion featuring Alison McGill, CEO Thompson and DCEO Marshall, who recreated the discussion around a recent podcast episode on Aisle Seat.  Drawing on the brand’s campaign slogan, “Venture Deeper”, the trio discussed how couples can easily dive into the culture and have more meaningful travel experiences in St. Kitts.  They talked about authentic experiences couples can enjoy together, including the new, one-of-a-kind Kittitian RumMaster certification program or the Belle Mont Farm field dinner that takes place in the middle of the rainforest surrounded by monkeys.

"In St. Kitts, we strongly encourage couples to get out there and take in all our island has on offer," said CEO Thompson. “Whether you are limin’ with the locals – which is just our way of saying let’s kick back and relax together – or jumping into exciting adventures, like hiking to the summit of our dormant volcano Mt Liamuiga, or touring old sugar mill lands by ATV, St. Kitts is truly the best of both worlds.  We are the perfect mix of thrilling adventures and soulful serenity, which is why couples find it so easy to unwind and reconnect here."

To learn more about romantic escapes and planning a destination wedding in St. Kitts, read the destination’s new Romance Guide. 

Stay up to date on the destination by visiting the destination’s new website: visitstkitts.com.