News

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Is Booming

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - April 19, 2016

By Alexander Britell

Antigua and Barbuda is surging.

The twin-island destination in the Eastern Caribbean has been firing on all cylinders, from a wave of large-scale resort development deals to a brand-new airport that has already become one of the Caribbean’s best.

And the country is showing extremely strong growth in arrivals this year, with visitor arrivals for the year at 84,566, an overall increase of 13.5 percent over the same period in 2015.

“The renewed focus and direction of the government’s tourism marketing and airlift polices are now reaping huge dividends,” said Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Asot Michael. “I would like to congratulate my entire team within the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism whose hard work and dedication has been pivotal in achieving the success that we are now seeing.”

antigua2

The numbers were boosted by last November’s launch of JetBlue flights to Antigua from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport, service which is now beginning to have a significant impact.

But the country’s development boom might be the bigger story.

For two years, the country has placed a focus on attracting high-end investors, from Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, who is planning a hotel on Barbuda, to the Yida group, a Chinese outfit which is planning a multi-billlion-dollar resort.

Above: Half Moon Bay

Above: Half Moon Bay

Most recent on the development slate was the major planned redevelopment of the legendary Half Moon Bay by Replay Resorts.

Replay Resorts is planning a branded beachfront hotel, oceanfront villas, ocean-view cottages and a retail village, among other features.

It’s all part of what has become the Caribbean’s next big tourism hotspot.

Popular Posts riviera maya resort closing

Hyatt Is Closing This Riviera Maya Resort, With Plans for a Rebranding

Hyatt is closing one of its top luxury resorts in the Mexican Caribbean in a few months, with plans for a rebranding, Caribbean Journal has learned.  The Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, one of a trio of properties in the […]


Frontier Airlines Is Adding Another New Nonstop Flight to the Dominican Republic’s Most Popular Destination: Punta Cana

punta cana golf dominican republic

The beaches, the all-inclusives, the nightclubs, the beach bars. Punta Cana is the spot when it comes to Dominican Republic travel, and now it’s getting another nonstop route from one of the fastest-growing airlines in the Caribbean.  Low-cost carrier Frontier […]


The Caribbean's Newest All-Inclusive Is a “Classic and Comfortable” Adults-Only Bungalow Resort With Four Beaches 

all-inclusive caribbean adults-only beaches

An infinity pool with a view of Antigua’s iconic Hawksbill Rock. Classic 1960s looks. Outdoor showers. Four different white sand beaches. A true boutique feel.  The legendary Hawskbill resort in Antigua is back, and it’s got a totally new look […]


Related Posts punta cana nonstop flight new

The Dominican Republic Just Eclipsed 10 Million Total Visitors. Again. 

It seems like every month is another new record for the Dominican Republic of late. And the truth is, that’s precisely what’s been happening. The country’s breakneck tourism growth pace hasn’t slowed down in the last two years, as its […]


Dominican Republic Tourism Keeps Surging, Topping 9 Million Total Visitors 

dominican republic beach

The Dominican Republic’s record-breaking tourism pace continued last month, with the Caribbean’s most popular tourism destination topping 9 million visitors so far this year.  Through the end of October, the country recorded 9.082 million visitors, a 10 percent increase compared […]


Visitor Growth Continues for the Cayman Islands

people sitting on seven mile beach in grand cayman

Tourism numbers in the Cayman Islands continue to climb, according to new data provided to Caribbean Journal by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.  The destination is reporting 330,514 total visitors between January and September 2024.  That number included 57,040 […]