Hotels occupancy projections for the summer months are out

The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association (ABHTA) is predicting a
busy summer period this year but reported that it will fall short of the robust
performances of 2019, the best year on record.
The data is based on bookings for hotels operating in the country for the months of
May, June and July. The data shows that the bookings for May will see occupancy
figures at a rate of 60 percent compared with 64.10 percent for the same month in
2019.
For June, the projections are that occupancy rates will fall to 54 percent compared
with 56.40 percent for the same month in 2019. July is predicted to outperform its
corresponding month in 2019. This year, occupancy in July will amount to 58
percent, compared with 54.70 percent, in 2019.
According to the ABHTA, bookings remain last minute, but later months June and
July may still see additional uplift.
The association advised that air travel remains expensive, however, the demand is
still strong for the destination.
It was noted that the summer months will be affected by reduced airlift from the
United Kingdom, while regionally, Aruba and Barbados are aggressively
marketing in the UK.