More air traffic leads to strong tourist performance in twin islands
North America has emerged as the main market for the twin islands of Antigua and Barbuda, say tourism officials who are seeing a turnaround in stay-over visitors.
Tourism was up 12 percent in a recent month compared to a year ago.
"The destination’s focus on increasing airlift from the USA has proven to be right on target. We want to ensure that the cost of travel to the destination remains competitive to allow us to deliver more value,” said John Maginley, minister of tourism for the two islands.
Officials attribute the increase in visitors to more scheduled airline traffic from North American destinations, according to Derede Samuel Whitlock, USA Tourism Director.
American Airlines offers daily non-stop service from Miami. Continental offers up to ten flights a week from Newark. Delta Airlines also offers service via JFK and Atlanta.
“The current growth in stay-over arrivals shows that the destination has clearly turned the corner from 2009, where the total stay-over arrivals stood at 234,410 a decline of 11 percent,” according to a press release.
During the same period the highest level of cruise ship arrivals ever to Antigua and Barbuda was recorded with 712,000 visitors, an increase of 23 percent over 2008 cruise arrivals.
By David Wilkening
David
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