Approximately twelve years ago at a Vacation Fair in Holland, Director of Tourism Glenn Holm had the opportunity to meet Mr. Cees Timmes of TVC advertising. Holm stated that he was familiar with Timmes work on both Curacao and St. Eustatius. Realizing the potential of TVC and Saba as a market, Mr. Holm stated that he’d like to have some promotional materials made up by TVC some day in the future.
This wish for promotional items materialized a couple years ago with some Dutch funding (quickwins) to produce a first image brochure as well as some banners and tradeshow materials. Recently, more funding has become available through the SEI and it was decided to continue the promotional possibilities previously laid down.
The finished projects are now a more detailed and informative brochure as well as island maps. An image bank has also become available to all tour operators, magazines, and promotional materials for Saba. This image bank can be found at www.saba-pictures.com
Today, Holm and Timmes had the opportunity to meet with the Executive Council and present the new materials. An idea was put forth for an advertising pilot program featuring souvenir items using the same general branding. The proposal given to the Government was to include the new brochures and maps with the agreement that TVC will absorb the costs of the project. If the project is successful, then the private sector will be given the opportunity to invest in new and future promotional materials developed by TVC advertising. Overall, these promotional materials will be approved and controlled by the Saba Tourist Bureau.
Commissioner Zagers stated, "I am very impressed with the quality of these materials. Living here you sometimes take for granted the beauty of this island. Seeing the presented materials in these brochures makes you realize that we all live in a lush paradise. This is something that we as Saba people should remind ourselves of daily."
Following the meeting with the Executive Council, Holm and Timmes will hold a meeting with the private sector to display the new items and pilot program proposal.
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com