ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Tourism officials are reporting that for the first time since the start of the global financial crisis in 2008 visitor arrivals from all major source markets are showing positive growth. Year on year arrival figures for the month of May indicate that there was a 5.6% increase in arrivals. The strongest growth came from the US market which recorded a 7.7% increase followed by the UK and Canada which recorded increases of 4.7% and 3.8% respectively.

The strong performance out of North America has been attributed to increases in airlift. Daily flights on American Airlines out of Miami and on Continental out of Newark have helped make the destination more accessible and affordable for the US traveller. The introduction of Canjet charter flights out of Toronto and Montreal had a significant impact on visitor arrivals out of Canada with figures showing a staggering 82.8% increase year to date.

This is the first month for the year that has shown an increase in arrivals from the UK. The positive results are especially encouraging given the challenges that have been experienced in recent months. The introduction of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) in November 2009, industrial action by British Airways cabin staff earlier this year and the recent air traffic disruptions in Europe have all contributed to the Caribbean losing some of its appeal for Europeans.

“There are clear improvements in the numbers compared to this time last year and we hope that this trend will continue. All overseas offices have raised the bar in terms of their sales and marketing efforts which is precisely what is needed in these difficult times. The latest results show that our efforts are reaping positive rewards.” Said Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority.

Visitor arrivals year to date for May 2010 closed at 111,165, an increase of 1.1% over the previous year.