ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Feb. 16 – Stayover visitor arrivals in Antigua and Barbuda are up by over nine percent for the first month of 2018.
The latest statistics reported by the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism are showing an increase in the number of stayover arrivals by 27,895 in January 2018 compared to 25,463 in January 2017.
The US market continues to be the desinations leading source market, with the number of stayover visitors from the market up by 3.5 percent .
Additionally, January 2018, saw an impressive performance from the Canadian market. With a growth of 77 percent, the market continues to benefit from increased airlift, brought on by the addition of the Sunwing flight in November as projected by tourism officials.
An 8.8 percent growth in arrivals from the Caribbean Market, the destination’s third largest source market, has also contributed to the rise in stayover arrivals while the UK market continues to hold its own with relatively stable figures.
Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Charles Fernandez said, “The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism industry is now benefitting from two months of consecutive growth in stayover arrivals.”
Antigua and Barbuda closed off December 2017 with stayover arrivals in the month totaling 27,427 compared to 26,590, a growth of 3.15 percent.
Overall, the destination ended the year 2017 achieving for the first time in recorded history over one million visitors when arrivals from all ports of calls were considered. Stayover arrivals (247,320) supported by a buoyant cruise (801,787) and yachting (19,543) industry allowed total visitor arrivals to reach 1,068,650.
The Tourism Minister is optimistic that with news of increased airlift and hotel expansions combined with increased calls in the cruise and yachting sector that Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism industry is poised for major development in 2018.
“In 2017, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority alongside our stakeholders worked hard to maintain stayover visitor arrivals in our main source markets. Constant review of trends in overseas markets and strategic market planning sessions with stakeholders in Antigua, led to the development and execution of in-market activities specifically designed to address concerns of visitor declines and produce the positive results we are noticing as the 2017/2018 winter season unfolds”, said Fernandez.
About Antigua and Barbuda:
The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua & Barbuda comprises 108-square miles. The 365 white and pink sand beaches, one for every day of the year, are just the beginning of the treasures that await visitors. Antigua’s rich history and spectacular topography provide a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort commissioned by the British in 1755, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Betty’s Hope, built in 1674, is the site of one of the first full-scale sugar plantations on Antigua, and offers a chance to step back into time by visiting the restored mills. Another unique attraction is Devil’s Bridge, located at the eastern tip of the island in Indian Town National Park, where Atlantic breakers have carved out a natural limestone arch. Antigua boasts a varied tourism calendar including events such as the World Class Antigua Sailing Week, Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Sports Fishing and also the annual Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Island accommodation ranges from luxury resorts and all-inclusive hotels to smaller more intimate boutique guesthouses and cottages.
For information about Antigua & Barbuda visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com