Tourism

The tourist industry in Antigua and Barbuda was among the first to be developed within the Eastern Caribbean, and is presently ranked as one of the largest in the region. The geographical position of the island makes it a strategic first stop or last landfall for both aircrafts and pleasure yachts crossing the Atlantic.

Over the years, the tourism sector has emerged with top quality inventory, with a range of properties from international resorts to boutique hotels totaling over 3,500 rooms in over 75 properties. As we move forward in the 21st Century, the sector continues to grow significantly. In 2007, Antigua and Barbudas tourism arrivals totaled 261,785 stayover visitors and over 500,000 cruise passengers from 440 cruise calls.

The three principal source markets for stay over visitors to Antigua and Barbuda are the United Kingdom, the United States and other islands in the Caribbean. Within continental Europe, France, Italy and Germany are of some relative significance.

In keeping with other Caribbean destinations, the cruise sector has been extremely dynamic. In spite of the fluctuations in the actual numbers of passengers, the cruise lines still supply the largest group of visitors. Two recently constructed piers in the capital city of St. Johns provide berthing facilities capable of accommodating four of the largest and most modern cruise liners at the same time.

There are four marine facilities and ports of entry that cater to smaller sailing vessels and yachts. In addition to providing anchorage and mooring facilities, our modern dry-docking and engineering services make Antigua and Barbuda an internationally recognized Caribbean destination of choice among veteran yachtsmen.

Highlights

The Antigua tourism product typifies dream vacations in the Caribbean — beautiful beaches, hospitable people, an active yachting sector with hurricane-safe moorage and a welcoming, warm climate. The tourism industry presently welcomes over half a million air-arrivals and cruise passenger tourists.

Antigua and Barbuda offers beaches, and a wide variety of water-based activities including diving, snorkeling, sailing and fishing. It also consists of historical sites and attractions, which contain military and naval fortifications and architecture. Antigua and Barbuda is blessed with an abundant diversity of heritage sites. There are over 60 prehistoric sites of ancient Amerindian settlements, and numerous former sugar estates.

Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product is geared towards the high-end tourism market. This objective has been met with obvious success, as the average expenditure by stay- over visitors is among the highest in the Caribbean after other destinations such as the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bermuda, Anguilla and Barbados.

Tourism is positioned to make a significant contribution towards the conservation of Antigua and Barbuda's environment, as well as towards the protection of the island's heritage, and cultural resources. Tourism markets today expect destinations to be environmentally conscientious, and are more interested than ever in an educational experience through cultural activities.

Investment Opportunities

Investment opportunities are plentiful in cultural and natural resource protection, since such preservation can provide benefits to the tourism sector. Projects such as the development of national parks and the promotion of cultural events have the ability to generate significant revenue, and also lead to greater awareness among the resident population of its history and culture.

Antigua and Barbuda is capitalizing on the emerging trends of soft adventure travel, cruise tourism and cultural tourism, and is expecting to increase its expenditures by visitors on activities and experiences. This, in turn, would result in more business opportunities for smaller tourism enterprises, as well as a more active small business community serving tourism industry and tourism markets. It will also provide greater possibilities for new business development, and offer greater potential for local involvement in tourism beyond employment.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, in recognizing the development needs facing the country, has provided interested investors a package of incentives inclusive of tax holiday, and duty and consumption tax exemptions. This special package was created to encourage, in particular, the growth of accommodation sector.

Antigua and Barbuda's internationally competitive tourism product provides quality services and experiences along the service chain. The private sector has accepted its role in the detailed development of the tourism product. Government is seen as the enabler, as it creates the legislative/fiscal framework which encourages private sector, and community participation in tourism development.

Incentives are provided at all levels of the tourism service chain. Priority incentive attention will be given to the enhancement of the presentation of local culture and entertainment in all hospitality facilities- including hotels and restaurants. This type of support will also be extended to communities and NGO's involved in the staging of environmental, sports and cultural events that have visitor attraction potential.