Antigua and Barbuda celebrates record visitor numbers in 2024, with LATAM passengers up 35%

During an annual review press conference, the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) highlighted several important achievements, including impressive visitor results from Latin America.

Overall, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed more than 330,281 long-stay visitors and more than 823,955 cruise passengers, surpassing previous records, including levels reached in 2019, before the pandemic. One of the highlights was the growth of Latin American tourism, with a 35.67% increase in the number of passengers from the region, compared to 2023.

Mexico, Chile and Colombia were particularly prominent in the growth of this market. Mexico experienced a remarkable 32% increase in the number of tourists, while Chile registered an increase of 67%. Meanwhile, Colombia was the country that experienced the greatest growth in the region, with an impressive increase of 92%. This data reflects the growing popularity of Antigua and Barbuda as a tourist destination for Latin American travelers, driven by greater air connectivity, improved hotel offerings and the unique experiences that the destination offers.

"I am excited and pleased to see the growth in our arrivals from Latin America, which can be attributed to the strategies we have implemented through our agency, as well as the efforts of tour operators and Latin American tourism stakeholders," said Charmaine Spenser, Director of the Caribbean and Latin America of Antigua and Barbuda.

Elsa Petersen, CEO of EM Marketing & Communication, the PR agency representing Antigua and Barbuda in Latin America, stressed that this growth is a direct result of efforts to improve air connectivity and strengthen the destination's presence in the region. "Our goal for 2025 is to continue expanding the destination's presence in Latin America, generating new promotional opportunities and air connectivity," Petersen added.

In addition, the Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, highlighted that the growth in 2024 is due to joint efforts to strengthen air connectivity, expand hotel and accommodation offerings, and keep Antigua and Barbuda at the forefront of the tourism industry. He assured that this momentum will continue in 2025 with new developments, such as the increase in cruise ship calls and the launch of new air services, such as Frontier's inaugural flight between San Juan and Antigua in February 2025.

The Tourism Authority also noted that in terms of accommodation, Antigua and Barbuda surpassed 2019 hotel occupancy levels, reflecting the growing demand in the sector. The cruise market also saw a significant increase, with the Antigua Cruise Port playing a key role in increasing homeporting operations.

Finally, Antigua and Barbuda will continue its promotion in 2025 with high-profile events such as Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month in May, which includes a series of gastronomic events, and the 300th anniversary of Nelson's Dockyard, among others. In addition, the island will host the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace in May 2025, which promises to further consolidate its presence in the regional tourism market.

This is just the beginning of what is expected to be another exceptional year for Antigua and Barbuda, with a strong commitment to continue attracting tourists from around the world, especially from Latin America.

Source: EM Marketing & Communication.