05/02/2025
๐๐ก๐ง๐๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐-๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ก ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ก๐ข๐จ๐ก๐๐๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ช ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ
The Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) celebrated 2024 as an exceptional year for tourism in Antigua and Barbuda during a โYear in Reviewโ Press Conference highlighting key achievements during the year.
According to the latest data presented at the press conference, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed over 330, 281 stay-over visitors for the year and over 823,955 cruise passengers, surpassing previous records, and the 2019 pre-covid benchmark year. The United States market led the growth in stayover arrivals, with strong performances also from the United Kingdom & Europe, Caribbean & LATAM, and Canada markets.
โOur growth in 2024 is a direct result of our efforts to strengthen connectivity, position Antigua and Barbuda as a regional hub with two international airports, expand our hotel and accommodation offerings, invest in human capital, and stay on top our game,โ said the Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation & Investment. โI want to recognise all the work that has been done by the teams at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism and to our stakeholders whose collaborations and dedication have made this success possible.โ
Antigua and Barbuda saw significant expansion in airlift during 2024, with increased service from American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue, as well as the return of Condor and the introduction of Sunrise Airways. British Airways also increased service to the destination.
The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association reported increased hotel occupancy in 2024, exceeding that of 2019, highlighting the growing demand for the accommodation product in Antigua and Barbuda.
The cruise sector also flourished. Increased homeporting operations led by the Antigua Cruise Port and the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority were noted, with further expansion expected in 2025.
CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin C. James said, โ2025 promises even more with the first quarter of the year, bringing increased cruise calls for Antigua and Barbuda and more airlift, with Frontier set to launch its inaugural San Juan โ Antigua service on February 15, 2025.
James noted that this year, foodies will be tantalised during a new ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ด๐๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ ๐๐๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต in May, which will see the expansion of culinary events to include Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, FAB Fest, Food Forum and Eat Like A Local, in a move to make Antigua and Barbuda, โa new culinary hotspot in the Caribbeanโ.
โFrom an exciting Culinary Month, to celebrating the 300th anniversary of Nelsonโs Dockyard, and for the first time ever - Antigua and Barbuda playing host the Caribbean Hotels and Tourism Associationโs (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace from May 18 - 22, 2025 will be a packed year for Antigua and Barbudaโ, remarked James.
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority also announced the launch of a ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ www.visitantiguabarbuda.com. Digital Media Manager at the Tourism Authority Sharifa George indicated that, โThe new website is modern, cutting-edge, functional and meets the needs of all stakeholders. It offers data capture, allowing for a more targeted digital marketing approach and a user-friendly interface for all stakeholders.โ Unique features of the website include a personalised viewing experience, best flight options to get to the destination, and special offers listings.