Spike in Antigua and Barbuda bookings

FOLLOWING the #Antigua and #Barbuda Tourism Authority’s largest brand marketing campaign to date, there has been a strong uplift in bookings. The campaign which launched on 23rd June and ran across outdoor and digital platforms, promotes Antigua’s attractiveness beyond the beach. It was timed to encourage bookings to Antigua for a late summer holiday and to showcase how well the #destination works for holidays during these months.

Tour operator partners involved in the campaign have reported spikes in Antigua bookings with Kenwood Travel 33% up and British Airways Holidays 85% up for the last week of June following the campaign launch. Additionally, Kuoni has seen a sharp increase in Antigua honeymoon enquiries for the past month.

On top of the interest generated by the multi-platform marketing campaign, the peak in bookings, specifically in the honeymoon market could be attributed to Lionel Messi’s recent return from his honeymoon on Antigua which was reported heavily in the media. Prince Harry’s high profile royal visit last autumn will have also sparked interest into the twin island state of Antigua and Barbuda.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: Ian D. Keating 32008328@N08/35803601234 Pigeon Point Beach via photopin.

Marriott Resort to open in Antigua and Barbuda.

MARRIOTT International will expand its portfolio in the #Caribbean with the latest addition from the brand’s Autograph Collection coming to the shores of the island of #Antigua. 

The estimated $40 million project, which broke ground on November 29, 2016 will be situated just two miles west of the island’s capital, St. John’s, and a convenient six miles west of the airport.

Coconut Beach Resort by Marriott will comprise of 40 high-end condominiums and a 70 room five star hotel with modern water features, eco-friendly amenities and a sustainable facility design throughout the property.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Antigua & Barbuda see strong growth in tourism

THE TWIN island state of #Antigua&Barbuda in the Caribbean saw an impressive double digit visitor growth every month from March to November 2015. The highest growth months were September with a 36 percent increase and October with a 27 percent increase. 

This year, the islands will open up to the nature and hiking markets with walking specialists, Ramblers Worldwide and Exodus, introducing new tours.

To accommodate the growing visitor numbers and diversify accommodation options, building will start for new hotels to be completed in 2018.

Jean Marc Flambert, vice president sales and marketing UK & Europe for the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, says: ‘As tourism generates about 60 percent of our islands’ GDP, we are very pleased to see our visitor figures increasing.  Last year was a big year for Antigua and Barbuda tourism with new hotels, a brand new airport, and development of the sports tourism sector.

“The key contributing factors to this incredible visitor growth can be put down to our close links with the trade and our ‘accessibility’ campaign, which ran in April. This focused on encouraging travel during the summer months, as an alternative to European holidays.’

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12316147@N05/6979289724">2012_04_12_IMG_6636</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/85213921@N04/15505953204">Saint John's (Antígua e Barbuda) (24)</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Travel shorts . . .

THE number of UK tourists visiting #Jamaica the January-August period this year was up by 16.6% on the 2014 total, thanks in part to the continued strength of the pound against the dollar, a reduction in fuel surcharges, the UK’s growing economy, and the growing popularity of eco-tourism and sustainability, both of which are thriving on the island. 

‘The UK’s love affair with Jamaica is going from strength to strength,” said Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s director of Tourism.

THE Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has announced plans to increase its UK marketing budget by 20% next year in a bid to attract travellers outside the peak winter season. The #Caribbean country is aiming to attract couples without children or with non-school-age children during the off-peak months of May, June, September, and October. Visitor numbers for this summer have increased by between 11%-14.5% compared with June, July, and August 2014.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Antigua & Barbuda targets London

THE #Antigua & #Barbuda #Tourism Authority has launched an ‘Island Life’ brand campaign with a high impact tube platform advertising campaign targeting London commuters. 

The poster campaign will run in London underground stations until November 19, timed to raise awareness ahead of the key winter sales period.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: dhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/61417564@N00/2462296910">No Commotion</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)

New airport for Antigua & Barbuda

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA has opened one of the most modern airports in the #Caribbean. The size of the terminal at the V.C. Bird International Airport has been doubled. 

There are four jet bridges, a state-of-the-art baggage sorting and scanning system, 46 check-in counters, 15 self-check-in kiosks, a pet restroom, 30 retail outlets, a VIP lounge, and for very, very important people, a VVIP lounge.

The US$100 million (£62.3 million) development was funded by a China EXIM Bank concessional loan, and by a Chinese government interest-free loan.

JetBlue Airways will begin a direct service to Antigua from New York on November 5, and Alitalia is planning a weekly service from Milan, starting in December.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

All your holiday needs: IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DiGiMAG - SMARTPHONE -TABLET - BLOG - TWITTER - G+ - FACEBOOK

Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12316147@N05/6968330238">2012_04_11_IMG_6475</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Islands hope for tourism growth

THE twin island destination of Antigua and Barbuda is set to see more tourism development and an increase in the number of UK holidaymakers.

The country has a new tourism minister, and the construction of a new terminal at the V.C. Bird International Airport will be completed by November.

Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk
All your holiday needs IN PRINT - ON-LINE - DIGITAL-MAGAZINE - BLOGS - WEBSITE