Over 100% growth in summer traffic expected this summer

Antigua and Barbuda is expected to achieve over 100% growth in summer traffic, according to the Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority.

According to the latest information from the cruise port, over half a million cruise passengers visited Antigua during the 2022/2023 winter season, an excellent performance for the industry which continues to rebound.

“Most cruise passengers arrived between January and March 2023 and cruise officials say over three hundred and thirty- two thousand visited the island during that period with over one hundred thousand arrivals each month.

“Homeporting played a considerable role in increasing passenger numbers for the first quarter of the year, underscoring the importance of the operation to the local cruise tourism sector. P & O Cruises’ Arvia made four partial turnaround calls during this time while luxury yacht Star Clipper conducted two full homeporting operations.,” according to a press statement

ACP Operations Manager for Pier Services, Rawle Reynolds said, at times, over 800 people flew into the country to start their cruise in Antigua.

“The team at Antigua Cruise Port played a significant role in facilitating this operation. Antigua checks many boxes as a homeport and this season is certainly a testament to this fact. Not only is the destination strategically located but has an excellent airlift from both the United States and Europe. Our investment in the fifth berth provides us with added capacity to efficiently facilitate multiple cruise ships and related services both for vessels homeporting or on a transit call” he said

Meanwhile, Dona Regis Prosper, the General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port said the country performed well during the cruise season.

“We are pleased with our performance this winter season as we continue to successfully rebound after the effects of COVID-19. We look forward to a record summer season and the upcoming winter season 2023/2024. Norwegian Sky will make multiple visits to the cruise port between May and August” she said.

Meanwhile, Disney Magic will visit in May, and Disney Fantasy will call in July.

The nineteen summer calls more than double last year’s figures, indicating major growth in the country’s cruise industry, according to a press statement.