Antigua & Barbuda celebrates trade partners & boost in Canadian visitors

News / Tourism Board

08-15-2024 10:10 am

Jessica Huras

Toronto channeled a little Caribbean sun at a recent Antigua and Barbuda Appreciation Cocktail Event, which was hosted on the patio of Blu Ristorante on Aug. 13.

Travel advisors, partners and select travel media gathered for an evening honouring their efforts in promoting Antigua and Barbuda and celebrating the destination.

“We're well on our way to having our best year for Canada and a lot of that has to do with the folks who give us business - whether they be tour operators or travel agents,” said Colin James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), speaking to PAX.

Colin James, CEO of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority. (Pax Global Media)

“Today is a day to reward them or ‘big them up’ as we say in the Caribbean and let them know how much we appreciate them for the stellar job they’ve done for us.”

Matara Richards, Marketing Administrator for Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority. (Pax Global Media)

“Our leadership has come to Canada with a very simple message: thank you,” said Matara Richards, ABTA marketing administrator, addressing event attendees.

“Antigua and Barbuda is enjoying a strong year with Canadians and with consumers on a whole in no small part due to your passion for our unique dual islands of the Caribbean.”

An amazing year for Antigua & Barbuda

James noted that Canada continues to be Antigua & Barbuda’s third largest source market.

Speaking to PAX, he shared that about 21,000 Canadians have already visited Antigua and Barbuda in 2024, adding that this represents a nine per cent increase in visitors year-over-year from 2023.

James credits this increase to WestJet’s biweekly service from Toronto Pearson, as well as the islands’ broad appeal for visitors.

Beyond the beach

The tourism authority’s “Be” campaign, which launched earlier this year, aims to highlight the many charms that Antigua and Barbuda offers beyond the beach.

“We have 265 beautiful beaches, but the beach is just the beginning,” he said. “What else can you ‘be’ here? You can be immersed, you can be romantic, you can be adventurous and you can just be happy.”

James added that Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, which celebrated its second year this past May, is an example of the islands’ varied attractions for visitors.

More than 50 local restaurants signed up this year to offer pre-fixe menus during the event, giving visitors a chance to try out different restaurants at a more affordable price point.

“We had it last year for the first time, but this year, it grew exponentially,” said James of restaurant week.

He also highlighted Antigua Sailing Week, which also takes place annually in spring, as another highlight for many Canadian travellers.

“We have quite a number of Canadian sailors who come down for Sailing Week,” he explained. “We have the Nelson’s Dockyard, which is one of the best-preserved examples of Georgian architecture anywhere in the world, so they’re drawn by the importance of the architecture, as well as the overall ambience and sailing facilities that are available for our yachting community.”

James added that romance and wellness experiences also continue to be a major draw for Canadian visitors.

James addressed event attendees, thanking them for their support in promoting the destination. (Pax Global Media)

“Being able to tap into some of these niche markets is a key part of our strategy,” he said.

James also highlighted some of the new and renovated properties that have opened this year that have already been a hit with Canadian travellers, including adults-only resort, the Royalton CHIC, and Hawksbill Resort, which offers hillside views over Sea Grapes Beach.

More rewards coming

Alongside the accolades given to partners this week, James is also looking forward to feting high-performing agents at the Black Pineapple Awards this December.

Over 100 top travel advisors – including around 25 from Canada – will be hosted on an all-expenses paid incentive trip to attend the award ceremony in Antigua & Barbuda.

“We encourage all our travel agents and our trade partners to get involved with TAConnect – our travel agent portal – and register your bookings,” said James.

“We remain easily accessible, we remain safe and we continue to offer dynamic experiences within the Caribbean region that are irresistible to the Canadian traveller.”

Partners recognized with awards at the event included: