The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) is launching a new
television and digital campaign to promote the stunning and unique twin-island
destination of Antigua and Barbuda to visitors.
The hero TV spot features iconic and famous landmarks and attractions across both
islands, including the award-winning Valley Church Beach, Shirley Heights,
Devil’s Bridge, Barbuda’s famous Pink Sand Beach, Barbuda Belle and Barbudan
institution ‘Uncle Roddy’s’, Sheer Rocks restaurant, Stingray City and the Hells
Gate Steel Orchestra. The real stars of the campaign, however, are the Antiguan
and Barbudan nationals who appear in front of the camera, with leads being
Antiguan Junior Weathered and Barbudan Shakira James.
The campaign playfully pitches these Antiguans and Barbudans up against one
another to showcase the best things about their respective island – highlighting the
breadth and depth of the authentic travel experiences available across Antigua and
Barbuda.
Commenting on the campaign, Minister of Tourism Charles Fernandez says, “Our
people, are our tourism ambassadors, and this is easily recognised through the
passion and enthusiasm displayed by the Antiguans and Barbudans within this
campaign as they proudly speak about experiences that travelers can have when
they visit our country.”
“The unifying message behind the campaign is “Why choose when you can have
the best of both islands? Visitors to Antigua are reminded that our sister-island
Barbuda is only minutes away and both offer visitors two unique experiences in
one vacation,” said the tourism minister.
The carefree television commercial shows Antiguans enthusiastically trying to top
Barbudans, and vice versa. In one scene we hear the Antiguan lead enthusiastically
declare “We got Nelson’s Dockyard. We got English Harbour… And we got the
party. ‘There’s more people here than on your whole island!”
His Barbudan counterpart responds with “Exactly man! You come to Barbuda, and
you’ve got whole beaches all to yourself. And not just beaches. Pink. Sand.
Beaches!”
The campaign also features local Mixologist of the Year Altino Spencer, who says
“Why choose, when you can have both.” As he says the line, we see him serve up a
Barbudan Pink Sand Cocktail and an Antiguan Old Fashioned Rum Punch.
ABTA CEO, Colin James states, “The new campaign is the extension of our AND
campaign as we intentionally move to spotlight the discerning and value-conscious
consumers, our twin-island destination, and the luxurious and authentic
experiences available in each.”
The campaign launches following announcements of new flights and hotel
developments in Antigua, and the expansion of room stock in Barbuda with the
opening of smaller boutique properties.
The commercial will run in the key markets of the USA, Canada, The UK &
Europe as well as The Caribbean and Latin America throughout the Summer and
Fall, as the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority targets increased visitation.
The campaign will also appear in print, media, and digital platforms.
