Canadian air visits to Antigua and Barbuda up 9%

It was a “celebration of island hospitality” as the Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Authority (ABTA) thanked its Canadian travel trade partners for their support.

About 60 travel trade types, representing airlines, tour operators and travel agencies and others, gathered at Toronto’s BLU Restaurant in Yorkville, and were welcomed by senior officials from the tourism authority, including its deputy chairman, Alan Hosam; its CEO, Colin C. James; and its Canadian director, Tameka Wharton.

“Off the heels of a very hot summer, Antigua and Barbuda is now looking forward to another successful fall/winter travel season,” ABTA’s CEO Colin C. James told his audience.

Canada: Antigua’s third largest market

Noting that Canada is Antigua and Barbuda’s third largest market, James observed that it has been “an eventful year,” with initiatives like Romance Month, the Be Campaign, the visit of the Cricket Knights and many more gaining traction in the marketplace as the tourism authority shared Antigua and Barbuda’s story with Canadians.

He told the gathering that: “One achievement we are very proud of is the deepening relationships we continue to cultivate with our airline partners in Canada, including Air Canada and now WestJet.”

Canadian arrivals increase

In this respect, the tourist authority’s CEO said: “The statistics speak for themselves … air traffic to Antigua and Barbuda from Canada is up nine per cent year over year as of July. To date in 2024, over 21,000 Canadians have visited our shores.”

He added that from all of the destination’s markets, air arrivals are up 13 per cent year-over-year as of June, so there is no doubt that James is accurate in saying that “the sun is certainly shining on Antigua and Barbuda.”

“Our country will remain easily accessible to Canadians, and we will continue to showcase the dynamic, two-island experience that makes our country unique with the Caribbean region and irresistible to travellers,” said James.

And the tourist authority’s CEO made it clear to his audience that: “This is an undertaking we could not accomplish alone, and we are incredibly grateful to the individuals in this room and the genuine enthusiasm that Canadians seem to have towards our home.”