ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Reports by tourism stakeholders of increased tourist traffic last month, have been confirmed by the Antigua and Barbuda ministry of tourism who are reporting strong growth in tourism air arrival for August 2021.
Recently released statistics from the tourism ministry show that stayover air arrivals for August 2021, totaled 18,792 visitors to the destination, an increase of 965 visitors over August 2018 which previously held the record of “best” August with 17,827 visitors.
The US and UK markets remain the source for the majority of the visitors. Both markets combined brought a total of 17,306 visitors or 92 percent of the total visitors arriving in August 2021. The US market continues to dominate as the main source market with 52.5 percent of the total visitor arrivals while the UK, Antigua and Barbuda’s second-largest source market contributed 39.5 percent of the total visitor arrivals.
Flights from Canada are expected to resume in November, while within the Caribbean region, airlift began to pick up with increased service from Caribbean Airlines and other carriers.
Speaking on the growth, minister of tourism, Charles Fernandez, attributed this to Antigua and Barbuda’s strong airlift performance for August from the UK market.
“The month of August saw a record number of seats available from the UK. The all-time high capacity out of the UK for August along with the fact that the flights were operating from and to the two main airports, London Heathrow and London Gatwick, not only made it more convenient for travel from and to London; but it also allowed for more convenient connections from and to cities in Europe.”
According to the tourism ministry, the record number of seats available from and to London Gatwick and London Heathrow resulted in the most passengers traveling out of the UK to Antigua in any August. The ministry highlighted that, previously the “best” August on record in respect of visitor arrivals from the UK was August 2017 when 4,956 persons visited our shores. In August 2021, there were a total of 7,429 visitors or a 49.8 percent increase on the number of visitors in 2017.
“We also continue to see a steady growth from the dominant US market, which has aided in boosting our August Arrivals. This is despite reduced airlift capacity from the US, for August when compared to July,” noted minister Fernandez.
Earlier this year, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority released new advertising within all its source markets for Antigua and Barbuda’s ‘Your Space In The Sun’ campaign, which highlights the twin-island’s uncrowded beaches, outdoor attractions, and airy accommodation.
The Tourism Authority alongside the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association and the ministry of tourism have also strongly promoted the message of safety amongst industry partners and visitors through its ‘Sun, Sea, Safe’ campaign.
“Looking ahead to the Winter 2021, we continue to stress the importance of adherence to protocols by visitors and industry partners and vaccination awareness,” said the tourism minister.
