Antigua & Barbuda Demonstrates Strong Tourism Growth in 2018
Jul 17, 2018
Photo: Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort sits pretty on a private island, Credit: Jumby Bay Resort
July 16, 2018 (St. John’s, Antigua) – Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Officials have reported
that, for the first time in over fifteen years, Antigua and Barbuda has shown the strongest
overall visitor arrivals by air from January to June (148,139), with significant increases in the
key source markets for the destination: US, Canada, UK and Caribbean. This represents an
overall +7% increase from 2017. The closest the destination previously came to these figures
was in 2008 (146,935).
In particular, the month of June demonstrated significant increases: Canada has the
greatest year-over-year increase with over 170%, followed by the US (14.35%), Caribbean
(8.69%) and UK (8.27%). In addition, the destination is seeing an average 11.57% increase in
sea arrivals (502,527 from January – May), and an average 8.6% growth in occupancy
rates.
Photo: Dickenson Bay is the premier beach of the island”s 365 stretches of shoreline, Credit: Thinkstock
This growth is set to continue with significant increased airlift from North America in the Fall
2018, the opening of the destination’s newest 5-star resort and spa, Hodges Bay, in October
2018 as well as a full cruise schedule.
“We are excited by this positive momentum in growth of arrivals, both by cruise and air. It is
incredibly encouraging for the tourism industry, and I would like to congratulate the
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, the private sector, stakeholders and all our tourism
partners on helping us reach these positive results for the first 6 months of the year. We will
not rest on our laurels, and are striving for better. We will continue to invest in infrastructure
and service and raise awareness of Antigua and Barbuda, to ensure we see consistent
growth in arrivals,” said the Minister of Tourism and Investment, Honorable Charles ‘Max’
Fernandez.
“The first half of 2018 has shown incredible improvement, especially in our key source
markets. We look forward to relentlessly working towards attracting new and returning
visitors, improving our on-island tourism products as well as increasing access through our
award-winning airport and port. We are doubling our airlift out of Miami, introducing new
direct service out of New York and Canada, and welcoming new cruise ships to an already
busy schedule. Combined with our aggressive marketing strategies, we are confident that
we will continue to see remarkable growth for the second half of the year,” said the CEO of
the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James.
In 2017, the islands reached a tourism milestone in welcoming over one million air and sea
visitors. The arrival and occupancy figures for the first half of the year are positive indicators
that Antigua and Barbuda is set for another record year in tourism.
Photo: Sailing on a catamaran is popular with visitors, Credit: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Antigua (pronounced An-tee”ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Voted the World Travel Awards 2015, 2016 and 2017 Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination, the twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 17 mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on Twitter. http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda Facebook www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda
