Antigua and Barbuda confirms the increase in stopovers and homeporting

This year the meeting held at the Greater Fort-Lauderdale Broward Convention Center had more than 10,000 attendees from the industry; 80 cruise lines; 500 exhibitors and representatives from more than 85 destinations.
 

The Antigua and Barbuda delegation was led by the Minister of Tourism, Investment, Aviation and Transport, Charles "Max" Fernández, and was also attended by the Director General of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James; Javier Jacobs, ABTA Director of Operations; Donyelle Bird-Browne, Senior Director of Business Development and Partnerships; Shamoi Richards, Director of Business Development for Canada; Dona Regis-Prosper, Director of the GPH Antigua Cruise Port and Darwin Telemaque, Director of the Port of Antigua. 

The team organized several meetings focused on creating and maintaining alliances; treatment of infrastructure requirements and inclusion of itineraries and updates on Barbuda. And it also had a destination stand, with a new design and where a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere was experienced when it came to doing business and sharing information.
 

Minister Charles Fernandez explained that assistance to Seatrade is essential to continue consolidating the port's reputation as a branded port. 

"Antigua and Barbuda is one of the leading cruise destinations in the Caribbean, and forums like Seatrade provide the opportunity to engage in dynamic, data-driven and market-based business relationships. The convention integrates meetings and events with a wide range of industry perspectives, reports of digital campaigns, data-centric insights and solutions that create unique, rich and vibrant destination experiences, which should be included in the different cruise itineraries.As true partners of the industry, we strive to develop the businesses of our stakeholders by creating opportunities that inspire, amaze and deliver revolutionary results.With several cruise industry events each year,our teams are creators and connectors who are fully immersed in the industry we serve, and committed to supporting the communities and destinations in which we operate," he said.

According to the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda, recent investments in the sector have borne fruit, especially in view of the upcoming summer season, in which forty-two stopovers have already been reserved between April and August 2023, compared to to only three last year. The team also took the opportunity to share updates on all aspects of the destination, from port dredging to new tour and excursion options that present opportunities for both cruise lines and local entrepreneurs to increase revenue. of the sector.