TORONTO – In a calculated move to deepen partnerships with Canada’s travel industry and expand the twin-island nation’s footprint in the Canadian travel market, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) Canada office has revealed the establishment of its brand-new Canadian Travel Agent Advisory Committee.
The official launch of the initiative, unveiled on May 6, was intentionally aligned with Canada’s Travel Agent Day, a choice that highlights the central, often underrecognized, role travel advisors play in shaping vacation choices for Canadian travelers, building consumer demand for Caribbean destinations, and driving sustained tourism growth for host countries.
Earlier this year, ABTA Canada put out a public call for applications from travel professionals across the country seeking to join the committee. Following a selection process, the hand-picked group of industry experts has already held its first official convening to kick off the partnership. The committee brings together a diverse cohort of veteran, highly engaged travel advisors from every major region of Canada, covering all key segments of the travel industry, including luxury getaways, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), general leisure travel, and multi-generational group travel.
Tameka Wharton, Director of Tourism for ABTA Canada, shared her excitement about the new collaboration in the wake of the inaugural meeting. “The energy, actionable insight, and genuine enthusiasm this group has already brought to our first discussion has been incredibly encouraging,” Wharton stated. “Travel advisors hold an outsized influence over how Canadians discover new destinations and plan their travel experiences. By bringing this group of on-the-ground professionals together, we can stay tightly aligned with the changing needs and trends of the Canadian market as it continues to evolve. Their frontline perspective will help us grow Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector in a way that is both strategically sound and responsive to industry shifts, as the global travel landscape continues to transform post-pandemic.”
The newly formed committee will be led by two co-chairs, both decorated top performers for Antigua and Barbuda tourism. The first co-chair is Laura Price from the Blowes & Stewart Travel Group, who earned the distinction of being named Antigua and Barbuda’s top Canadian travel seller for 2025. Joining her as co-chair is Olimpia Govorusa of Travel Our World, Envoyage, who claimed the title of top agent two years running, in both 2024 and 2025. Both leaders hold the official designation of Antigua and Barbuda Certified Travel Experts and bring decades of proven sales experience to the role.
Joining the two co-chairs on the committee are six additional seasoned travel professionals from across Canada: Yvonne Campbell of Yvonne’s Travel and Tours (Nexion Canada), Jennifer Meyer of Creative Group, Anita Paton of The Travel Agent Next Door, Michelle Zimmer of Travelweek, and Jakki Prince of Prince Adventures (Trevello). The committee will support ABTA Canada’s broader push into the market, which also includes strengthened Quebec-based trade representation and expanded public outreach initiatives.