IShowSpeed during visit to Antigua and Barbuda
Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James says Antigua and Barbuda received tremendous international exposure following the recent visit by popular internet personality IShowSpeed.
Speaking in Guadeloupe on Friday, James praised the Tourism Authority team and local partners for organizing what he described as one of the destination’s most successful influencer campaigns to date.
According to James, members of IShowSpeed’s team described Antigua and Barbuda as the most organized stop on the influencer’s Caribbean tour.
The tourism executive said planners intentionally highlighted unique experiences including helicopter rides, Barbuda excursions and swimming with stingrays in an effort to showcase the country’s natural beauty and authenticity to millions of viewers worldwide.
“When you saw him in that helicopter looking on and saying this doesn’t look real, it’s so beautiful, you can’t pay for that type of advertising,” James said.
James revealed that tourism officials are now analyzing digital data to determine how many viewers interacted with Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism platforms following the viral visit.
The Tourism Authority is specifically tracking how many users viewed social media reels and subsequently visited Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism websites to search for vacation information.
James said the campaign forms part of a wider tourism strategy aimed at building both consumer awareness and direct travel bookings.
“We have a lot to show off,” he declared.
Say what you want, but this is actually smart marketing. Free global exposure like that is priceless.
That fella really put us on the map
I’m torn. It’s good publicity, yes, but are we over-relying on internet personalities now?
I hope we see this success in the arrival numbers especially for carnival
Few hours of fame for Speed. Only Speed got the benefits. We are back to where he left us