The announcement that direct air link between Antigua and Barbuda and Colombia is a few months away, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this initiative underscores the importance of visa-free agreements between countries.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Karen Cabrall, noted that both Colombia and Antigua and Barbuda had signed visa-free access in the past so nationals traveling to Colombia or Colombians traveling to Antigua and Barbuda can do so without having a visa.
“Many persons from Colombia and other Latin American countries are unable, for a variety of reasons, to get visas to enter into the United States. Now these people can come to Antigua and Barbuda and enjoy a vacation or start a cruise as we home-port here in St. John’s. Without a US visa it means these people will be unable to access either Miami or Puerto Rico to commence their cruises. They now have an opportunity to enjoy the many attractions that we have to offer; there are so many benefits from this arrangement,” she indicated.
Those sentiments were shared by Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez who said the fact that many South Americans are unable to travel to the US provides an opportunity for Antigua and Barbuda to offer itself as an alternative especially with home porting well established here.
“Many persons may want to do a Caribbean cruise and come to Antigua and start their 7-day or 14-day cruise through the region,” he noted.
BlueSea CEO, Maria Britto Bettini reported that the agreement for visa-free travel between Antigua and Barbuda and Colombia was signed back in 2019.
“There is no requirement for visas traveling to or from Colombia; its visa-free and hassle fee as it’s a non-stop flight to Cartagena,” she reported.
BlueSea – Latin American Traveler will be promoting the flights that will use LIAT20 to provide the charters.
