Photo: Courtesy of IndustryAndTravel 

Antigua and Barbuda Sets Tourism Records Once Again 

Following a record-breaking July, Antigua and Barbuda has done it again. August 2021 saw another record number of tourists visiting the Caribbean destination. Antigua and Barbuda welcomed just under 18,800 visitors, which surpassed its previous August record set back in 2018 (caribjournal.com). This figure represents an increase of nearly 1,000 visitors compared to August 2018. (caribjournal.com).  

Americans topped the arrival numbers, with 52.5 percent of total visitor arrivals last month, followed by the United Kingdom at 39.5 percent (caribjournal.com), 

According to Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez, "We continue to see a steady growth from the dominant US market, which has aided in boosting our August Arrivals. This is despite reduced airlift capacity from the US, for the month of August when compared to July" (caribjournal.com).  

Fernandez explains, "The month of August saw a record number of seats available from the UK...The all-time high capacity out of the UK for the month of August along with the fact that the flights were operating from and to the two main airports, London Heathrow and London Gatwick, not only made it more convenient for travel from and to London; but it also allowed for more convenient connections from and to cities in Europe" (caribjournal.com).   

Travelers to Antigua and Barbuda must keep in mind, effective October 1, 2021, the country’s updated COVID-19 requirements include the following: 

• All arriving passengers, except for children below the age of 18, are required to have received at least one dose of a World Health Organization (WHO) or Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) approved 2-dose COVID 19 vaccine or a single-dose vaccine (visitantiguabarbuda.com). 

• All arriving passengers, except for children below the age of 5 years, must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR taken within four days of their flight or fewer (visitantiguabarbuda.com). 

• All guests traveling to Antigua and Barbuda on vacation are required to stay at a certified accommodation property. Certified activities such as destination weddings, dining out, land and sea excursions, and certain other outdoor activities are available. 

• Face masks and social/physical distancing protocols in public spaces are mandatory.   

Sources: 

caribjournal.com 

visitantiguabarbuda.com