TTAL represents Tobago at Global Bird Fair 2023

Posted Aug 03, 2023

From July 14th to 19th 2023, a delegation led by TTAL’s Director Dalia Jerry, undertook marketing actions in the UK; participating in an annual Global UK Bird Fair in Leicestershire as well as a Trade Event in London.

Bird watching is one of Tobago’s core tourist attractions and the destination has attended Bird Fairs since 2001 as part of the international promotion of this niche. TTAL took over representation of Tobago at the event in 2018, and continued the record of a hugely successful showing, with high footfall to the destination’s stand, strong consumer interest in birding tours, and tangible results in the form of bookings made to the island.

Post Covid, the organisers revived the event in 2022 and announced the new ‘Global British Birdwatching Fair’, moving it from the traditional August slot to mid-July, however still retaining its central location at the Rutland Nature Reserve in Oakham, Leicestershire, United Kingdom. This new-look event went into its second year this year 2023, running from the 14th to 16th of July.

Supported by Tobago birders Newton George and Zolani Frank, Director Jerry indicated that “Tobago’s booth was swamped with persons that wanted to put Tobago on their list of places to visit, as such they were requesting more information about Tobago, other activities offered on the island, and of course the ease of getting to Tobago from the UK”. Director Jerry further stated that this response was after a presentation on birds in Tobago by birding influencer David Lindo otherwise known as the "Urban Birder”. David spent time in Tobago during March 2023 and has blogged and posted on his social media feeds about his visit to the island.

Director Jerry addresses the captive audience at TTAL's trade event held for Birdfair. — Director Dalia Jerry addresses the captive audience at TTAL's trade event held in the UK after Birdfair.

Furthermore, with a view to optimising the costs incurred by the Agency in sending a delegation to the UK, TTAL also undertook a trade event to further trade relations, goodwill and understanding of the destination’s potential in this core source market. The trade event held on July 19th at Limin Beach Bar at Gabriels Wharf saw a unique blend of persons that have visited Tobago, will soon visit and those the destination set out to inspire. There was a mix of not only trade partners like Blue Bay and Caribbee, but also influencers and long-standing media partners like National Geographic and The Telegraph.

Overall, TTAL had the opportunity to strengthen existing relations through peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, while demonstrating the Agency’s continued commitment to working with all arms of the UK travel industry.

Director Dalia Jerry and Marketing Officer for the UK, Marsha Patrick — Director Dalia Jerry and Marketing Officer for the UK Ms. Marsha Patrick at the post-Birdfair trade event.