by Brian Major
Last updated: 11:21 AM ET, Thu May 16, 2019
Dual-island nation Caribbean nation Antigua and Barbuda extended a two-year trend of sharply higher tourist arrivals in early 2019, reporting significant arrivals growth in the first quarter and double-digit visitor growth in April, according to Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) officials.
Antigua and Barbuda hosted 27,301visitors in April 2019, a 17.1 year-over-year increase compared with April 2018. The increased arrivals were driven by U.S. vacationers, as the 11,709 American travelers to visit the eastern Caribbean country represent a 23.4 year-over-year increase.
Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda's visitor air arrivals through April totaled 117,920 travelers, an 8.6 percent year-over-year compared with the same period in 2018. Antigua & Barbuda also reported higher arrivals from the United Kingdom, Europe and the Caribbean, with increases of 9.9 percent, 32.8 percent and 14.8 percent respectively.
"A seventeen percent increase in arrivals is remarkable growth, and spells exciting news for Antigua and Barbuda," said Charles 'Max' Fernandez, the country's minister of tourism. "We hope to carry forward this momentum through the crucial summer months of May [through] October."
ABTA has launched #WhatCoolLooksLike, a media marketing campaign designed to "help increase visitor arrivals and revenue to the destination," by highlighting savings on flights, accommodations, tours, excursions and restaurant dining during the May through October period, said Fernandez.
Antigua and Barbuda's peak travel season traditionally extends into April and features flagship sailing activities including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week, said ABTA officials.
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