By the Caribbean Journal staff

Antigua and Barbuda is one of the buzziest destinations in the Caribbean right now, according to the latest data from the twin-island country’s tourism authority.

Antigua and Barbuda tourism has seen a 10 percent increase in stayover visitor arrivals through September, according to provisional figures released by the country’s Ministry of Tourism.

That represents a total of 187,701 visitors for the year up to July, buoyed by a very strong summer that saw double-digit year-over-year increases in June and July as well.

Galley Bay in Antigua.

 “This healthy 10 percent uptake in the summer is significant,” said Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez in a statement. “It means that on top of the phenomenal growth we received from January to July 2018 of 171,147 visitors in comparison to the 159,764 in 2017, that the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s marketing strategy as well as other key factors, have really allowed us to steadily build arrivals, year on year.”

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin C. James said the surge pointed to a broader trend: that Antigua and Barbuda was becoming a full-fledged year-round destination.

The sleek, modern South Point hotel is among the best places to stay in Antigua right now.

The numbers come as Antigua has launched a major campaign called “What Cool Looks Like.”

“We are changing the narrative,” he said. “Antigua and Barbuda is open year round. Our partners are communicating to us, that the campaign has made a huge difference and we are seeing it not only in increased arrivals, but in the increased ABST revenue coming into the country during the summer months.” 

Historic Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“As we continue the campaign, the teams are working flat out on their various plans, and at this current run rate we are looking forward to a record year again in air arrivals,” James said.

Indeed, Antigua and Barbuda has become one of the Caribbean’s hottest getaways in recent years, led by a wave of new airlift and a pervasive focus on tourism development that includes an impressive pipeline of new hotel projects.

The beach at the Inn at English Harbour.

The latter features soon-to-debut resorts from brands like Waldorf-Astoria and Rosewood, among others.

For more, visit Antigua and Barbuda.

— CJ