New record in Antigua and Barbuda: more than 24,600 visitors in the month of July

The steady recovery of tourism in Antigua and Barbuda continues to rise. Tourist visits during July 2022 have exceeded the record reached in July 2019, before the pandemic. The Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism reported growth of 7%. 

During the month of July, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed 24,673 visitors to the destination, an increase from 23,405 in 2021 and 23,031 in 2019.

The Minister of Tourism of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honorable Charles Fernandez, said: "For the second year, we are experiencing a healthy summer season as traveler confidence grows and they make the decision to take that long-awaited vacation or that previously postponed trip. .” He added: "In July, there was a notable increase in group travel, which contributed significantly to our growth. A group from the US brought approximately 500 tourists who came to enjoy our summer events. We are optimistic and we believe we will maintain this strong growth position in August."

The influx of visitors from the United States contributed to a 30% increase in arrivals compared to July 2019. More than 13,300 of the tourists traveled by air from the United States in July, 3,000 more compared to July 2019.

In addition, there was growth within the UK market, with an increase of 272 British visitors to the destination, representing a 5% increase in arrivals in the month compared to 2019. Arrivals stood at 5,650 vs. 5,378 of 2019. 

Arrivals from Canada grew by 1% while the Caribbean market experienced a 19% decline.

During this summer month, the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association reported 63% occupancy for a sample of its member hotels.

According to the data collected, 9,678 visitors stayed in hotels, while 11,487 stayed in guest houses and apartments/villas. 

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority attributes this 7% growth in recorded visits in the month of July 2022, compared to July 2019, to increased air travel, aggressive destination marketing, travel protocols simple, the enthusiasm of tourists to travel again and the eagerness to participate once again in Antigua's summer carnival.

The Director General of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, said: "Antigua and Barbuda is currently among the top ten Caribbean destinations leading Caribbean tourism recovery efforts. With good growth month-on-month "The outlook for Antigua and Barbuda's tourism recovery looks positive, especially given global tourism forecasts. For the fall, our teams will continue to focus on closing the gap and achieving full recovery."

In general, the total number of visits for the period January-July 2022 stands at 154,099. This is a 91% increase from the 2021 comparison, which was 80,509, and a 16% reduction in the gap from the January to July 2019 totals, which were 184,465.

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is a statutory body dedicated to developing the tourism potential of Antigua and Barbuda by promoting the status of the twin islands as a unique and quality tourism destination, with the aim of increasing visitor arrivals, thus promoting sustainable economic growth. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority is based in St. John's Antigua, from where regional marketing is conducted. The Authority has three offices abroad: in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew'da) are located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. This twin-island paradise offers visitors two unique experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, delicious cuisine and 365 stunning white and pink sand beaches, one for every day of the year. Antigua, the largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, is 108 square miles with a rich history and spectacular topography offering a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities. Nelson's Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is perhaps the best-known landmark. Antigua's calendar of tourism events includes the prestigious Sailing Week, the Classic Yacht Regatta and the annual Carnival, known as the largest summer festival in the Caribbean. Barbuda, the smaller sister island, is the last refuge of the famous. It is located 27 miles northeast of Antigua and is only a 15-minute flight away. Barbuda is known for its 11 miles of pristine pink-sand beaches and for being home to the largest frigatebird sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere.