Tourism growth in Antigua and Barbuda for the first half of 2024, is demonstrating over 15% more in tourist arrivals – a testament to the resilience and determination of the destination.
At a press conference on Monday, July 29, 2024, the Minister of Tourism Investment Civil Aviation and Transportation, Hon. Charles “Max” Fernandez, delivered an industry performance report detailing the ambitious endeavors and successes of the industry.
The Hon. Minister shared:
“Tourism and our hospitality industry are undergoing significant changes. Shifting source markets and destinations, growing demand for experiential and luxury travel, and innovative business strategies dramatically alter the industry landscape. As the tourism industry continues to rebound, competition has intensified with new products operating at a fever pitch.
Consequently, we constantly monitor and review our strategies to attract visitors. We continue to assess the activities within my Ministry and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority to find the most cost-efficient and productive ways to promote tourism, and this is an ongoing exercise.
Given these momentous changes, it’s essential for us in the public sector and our partners in the private sector to consider and strategize as we move forward. That exercise continues, so it gives me great pleasure to share with you today the successes we have enjoyed for the first six months of 2024.
I am pleased and proud to report that between January and June 2024, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed 176,665 stop-over visitors. This +15% increase in arrivals is a testament to our industry’s resilience. Our growth continues despite threats from hurricanes, the political climate in our most important source market, the United States, and the change of government in our second[1]largest source market, the United Kingdom.
JANUARY – JUNE 2024
Stopover Visitor arrivals increased from January to June 2024
- From 154,333 in January to June 2023 to 176,655 in January to June 2024
- When comparing the same period in 2019, which was our best year this represents a +10% increase from 161,434 at the end of June of that year
- We are well on the way to a record year for Tourism Arrivals
T20 World Cricket Cup tournament
June was significant because, from June 9 to 23, Antigua and Barbuda hosted eight games in the T20 World Cricket Cup tournament.
The event attracted spectators from Europe, United States, India, Australia, and South Africa. Visitors from India, Australia, and South Africa with remarkable percentage increases.
This is important because sports tourism, one of the fastest[1]growing sectors in the travel industry, is an integral component of our tourism offerings, including yachting and sailing. In 2023, the
Sports Tourism market size was USD 564 billion, and it is expected to grow to USD 1.33 trillion between 2024 and 2032. Hence, our hosting of the T20 Cricket Tournament represents a small but significant investment in this platform.
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So…
- India: 327, up from 28
- Australia: 333, up from 20
- South Africa: 149, up from 9
- UK/Europe: 4,092, up from 3,567
Despite the success from January to June, I want to highlight the exceptional achievements we saw in June and extend my commendations to our private sector partners. I particularly want to recognize The Antigua and Barbuda Hotel Association and its Executive Director, Patrice Simon, for their invaluable partnership in promoting our country, particularly with our
Showcase event in June
To all our partners locally who collaborated in Antigua hosting a world class 1st of its kind SIDS UN conference in May we say a hearty thank you. Our successful hosting of this event has already opened up other opportunities with the OAS conference slated to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in June of 2025.
Worldwide Statistics
In June, we enjoyed an the highest ever month over month growth with an impressive 42 % increase in stopover visitors.
USA
The performance of visitor arrivals from our most important source market, the United States, is truly remarkable, showing a 46% increase compared to June 2023.
- From 11,032 in June 2023 to 16,084 in June 2024
United Kingdom & Europe
The United Kingdom also excelled, with a 15% increase in visitor arrivals compared to June 2023.
- From 3,567 in June 2023 to 4,092 in June 2024
Cruise Industry
Cruise Visitor arrivals increase from January to June 2024.
Cruise lines’ performance was spectacular, with cruise arrivals from January to June 2024 showing an astounding 30% increase compared to January to June 2023.
- Year to Date 30% increase in June 2024
- From 413,309 from January to June 2023
- To 537,978 from January to June 2024
In closing
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our team in the markets of the USA, UK and Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and the leadership provided by the Board of Directors. Their collective success, and that of our other in-market representatives, results from the support they receive from the Ministry of Tourism and the private sector. They have created a seamless operation in collaboration with my Ministry and the ABHTA. The positive results we are seeing are a testament to this effective teamwork.”
