Antigua Increases Efforts to Attract Regional Visitors

The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority has partnered with regional carrier LIAT to boost travel to the twin-island state.

The initiative – dubbed “Regional Traveller” – aims to provide specially discounted fares on flights into Antigua & Barbuda from select regional markets for specific local events.

“For the month of October, the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority secured special fares from LIAT for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Antigua & Barbuda and the USA on Friday October 12,” a release said. “This leads into the weekend’s Love in Antigua and Bride Villa Bridal Expo headlined by world renowned wedding and event planner, Preston Bailey, scheduled for October 13 – 14.”

It added that discounted fares are also being offered the weekend of October 19 – 21, when hundreds of Caribbean cyclists will descend on Antigua for the annual Caribbean Cycling Championships 2012. The month concludes with much anticipated annual pre-independence celebrations.

“This is a great strategic move by our destination to focus on the regional market, especially during the traditionally slower periods for international travel,” Minister of Tourism John Maginley said.

“Antigua & Barbuda has to continue to focus its efforts to see growth in all its target markets. The Regional Traveller concept of a weekend getaway to see a sporting event or attend a good show is quite an attractive lure, especially when it is priced right.”