ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

26th January 2011 Antigua & Barbuda ranked among the top 10 of all long haul routes and was the only Caribbean destination to be included in the top 10 routes for British Airways Club World travellers in their Jan 2011 promotion.

 

The good news was announced last week at a meeting of Antigua & Barbuda tourism officials and British Airways representatives at Caribbean Marketplace; the largest travel & tourism trade show in the Caribbean.

 

British Airways reported that seat sales to Antigua performed above the average for the Caribbean in 2010 with a 95% increase in Club sales with this positive trend is projected to continue into 2011. According to British Airways, bookings to Antigua are up 13% for the period January – December 2011 compared to the same period last year. In addition British Airways Holidays is projecting a 90% increase in room nights with February and March hitting record 130% and 152% increases respectively.

 

“This is excellent news for the destination. It reinforces that we have a first class product and that there is still untapped potential. The hard work that Mr. Hilary Modeste and the UK team are doing is really beginning to pay dividends.” Said Honourable John Maginley; Minister of Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation who led the Antigua & Barbuda delegation to Caribbean Marketplace.

 

British Airways currently operates daily flights into Antigua and for the first time this schedule will be maintained throughout the summer 2011.

 

“Although we recognise that there has been significant discounting throughout the industry to achieve these levels you cannot escape the fact that the destination is outperforming our competitors. We are looking forward to working closely with British Airways over the next couple of months to ensure that we maintain this momentum.” Said Colin C. James; CEO Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority.