ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, The Hon. John Maginley today expressed confidence in the destination’s upcoming winter performance as he met with trade partners at the World Travel Market business-2-business travel industry exhibition taking place in London this week.

Caribbean tourism ministers met with the UK Treasury Department to discuss the Air Passenger Duty Tax and its effect on travel to the Caribbean.

“Increased airlift, and a new airport terminal built to handle a greater capacity, will ensure that we are poised for growth for 2014” remarked the Tourism Minister. Maginley, who is accompanied by CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James, UK & Europe Marketing Manager Cherrie Osborne and the Tourism Authority’s UK Team, has spent the last three days in negotiations with airline and tour operator partners, at WTM.

The Minister of Tourism announced that Antigua will as of December 19 benefit from a new flight out of Manchester with Thomas Cook. “We have focused on expanding as well as building up new routes for the destination”, said Maginley. “And, this new route will boost travel to Antigua and Barbuda particularly from the areas north of London during the winter.”

Virgin Atlantic will also increase their service to Antigua from three to four flights with more first class and premium seats available while British Airways will maintain their daily flights.

Tourism Authority CEO, Colin James, said “we are extremely pleased with the additional airlift coming out of the UK for the winter as well as looking ahead into the summer”. “Antigua’s product is heavily upmarket, and the reconfiguration by the airlines to allow for more upper class seats will bode well for the destination. It demonstrates the confidence by our airline partners in the consumers’ demand for Antigua’s luxury product, and in our ability to fill these seats.”

The tourism officials also used the World Travel Market platform to share the news on Antigua and Barbuda’s recent accolade ‘Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon destination’ and nomination as ‘World’s leading honeymoon destination’ for the 2013 World Travel Awards.

Further enhancements to the new visitantiguabarbuda.com official tourism website, with an integrated social media platform, and the development of high-quality social media apps for mobiles and tablets, have also been shared with journalists.

Cricketing legend, Sir Vivian Richards joins the Antigua and Barbuda delegation as Tourism Ambassador, and has been drawing crowds to the stand, for photo and autograph signing sessions. Richards addressed media on the country’s latest developments in sports tourism as it relates to cricketing tours for schools and clubs, and the England vs. West Indies One Day International Series taking place in February and March 2014 in Antigua.

Antigua and Barbuda booth at 2013 World Travel Market

Hoteliers and DMC’s who have also joined the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, on the stand this year to discuss ways to drive business to the destination, are Blue Waters, Hermitage Bay, Sugar Ridge, Carlisle Bay, Jolly Beach Resort and Spa, National Tours and Services, Carib World Travel, St. James Travel and Tours and Suntours Antigua.

Representatives from tourist guides, The Antiguan, and The Treasure Islands Guide, are also on stand.