The latest figures of the performance of the hotels sector for the months of July, August and September reflect what has been a historical fact; the summer months continue to be a challenge for the sector.
Occupancy rates for August in the hotels that comprise the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association (ABHTA) were 60.4 percent. This was marginally better than the 59.9 percent that was recorded in 2024.
For September, occupancy rates fell to 42 percent which showed a decline from the 46.2 percent recorded a year earlier.
The data did not include stay-over numbers for the two months. However, the arrivals for the first seven months of the year were released.
The figures showed that there was a slight improvement in the arrivals from January to July, 2025, compared with the same period in 2024.
Arrivals for the first seven months this year totaled: 205,893. The figures for the same period last year were; 205,004.
The United States continues to dominate tourism arrivals accounting for more than half of all arrivals to the country. From January to July this year arrivals from the US totaled, 115,959. For the same period in 2024 it stood at, 109,016.
The second most important market is the UK with 44,007 visitors. This is up from the 42,152 recorded in 2024. Canada comes in third. However, it recorded an 18 percent decline this year compared with last year; 17,578 (2025) compared with 20,660 (2024).
