Media Release Courtesy of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority — Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Tourism stayover arrivals in Antigua and Barbuda for the month of July 2021 have surpassed pre-COVID levels, as pent-up demand for travel has tourists flocking to the twin-island paradise. The Ministry of Tourism announced that stayover tourism arrivals for July came in at 23,405 tourists via V.C. Bird International Airport — surpassing 2019 arrivals of 23,031, which had been a record-breaking year for the destination. The July 2021 figure is particularly significant because it was achieved in a year when Antigua’s carnival was again cancelled due to the pandemic, compared to 2019 when carnival was held.
From the main source markets, 15,350 tourists travelled from the United States in July 2021 compared to 10,221 in July 2019. From the UK: 6,521 compared to 5,378 in 2019. Tour operators, taxis and restauranteurs have reported an uptake in business for the month, with some calling July 2021 “the best July in years, even before COVID.” CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, said: “This is particularly encouraging in that this July which is the best July ever for air arrivals was accomplished in a year when Antigua’s carnival was again cancelled due to the pandemic.” Vernon A. Jeffers Snr., Executive Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association, noted that July saw very high occupancies particularly across mid-range hotels performing at 80% and higher. Minister of Tourism Honourable Charles Fernandez attributed the recovery to “a visible change in the travel behaviour of our visitors brought on by the covid-19 pandemic,” and urged all tourism stakeholders to remain vigilant in following COVID-19 health and safety protocols.