Antigua and Barbuda is getting extensive media coverage in Canada with the reporting by an online travel news portal of the expansion of its Toronto office.
According to the report in Open Jaw which tracks the news and views of travel influencers in Canada, this twin island nation is targeting more Canucks, more ships, and more luxury clients.
It was a celebration of colour, food and Caribbean flavours as members of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism community welcomed some 50 travel advisors to an event 12 August at the posh Lavelle club in downtown T.O.
Joining the celebration were two special guests: Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment Charles “Max” Fernandez, and the CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James. The team from the new tourism office in Toronto, led by Tameka Wharton, Director of Tourism, were also at the event.
It was Fernandez’ first official visit to Canada and he is clearly bullish on this country’s potential. 2024 passed pre-pandemic levels of visitors, while 2025 is ticking along to beat even that.
Antigua (airport code ANU) punches well above its weight in attractions, culture, history and the music scene. Not bad considering it is only 1/10th the size of Prince Edward Island.
Cruising is clearly an important focus of Antigua (“an-tee-gah”), with some 570 calls last year, up from 446 the previous year. New to the island are home port calls, where passengers start and end their cruises on the island. However, Fernandez was careful to point out to Open Jaw that with 365 beaches – and beaches being a hugely popular shore excursion – crowding is not an issue. For example, water taxis are now being looked at an alternative to vans and road taxis for the cruise passengers.
“We want to position ourselves as high end, aspirational, and must take into consideration the locals’ attitudes to tourists and avoid the issue of over-tourism,” he added.
The country is also proud of the leading role it is taking in the Caribbean when it comes to the environment. It was the first in the region to ban single-use plastics and Styrofoam.
“We want to position ourselves as high end, aspirational, and must take into consideration the locals’ attitudes to tourists and avoid the issue of over-tourism,” he added.
The country is also proud of the leading role it is taking in the Caribbean when it comes to the environment. It was the first in the region to ban single-use plastics and Styrofoam, according to the report.
“We are positioning Barbuda, with its high-end villas and now private jet access, as the new St. Barts,” James told Open Jaw, referencing the swank little French island not far from Saint-Martin. “Barbuda is a completely different experience from Antigua: totally relaxed and zen.”
Sitting with two of the most senior members of the tourism community, I couldn’t help but ask them their favourite thing to do on the island. The Minister loves visiting the historic Nelson’s Dockyard, a cultural heritage site and marina, while James loves the twice weekly party at Shirley Heights when tourists and locals mingle to have fun and admire the sunset. Find out more about ANU and BBQ at visitantiguabarbuda.com.
