New promotion gives anyone an opportunity to experience Carnival

By Zaya Williams

Coming to Antigua for Carnival at little to no cost could be as simple as entering a raffle with a new promotion started by the  Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) and the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission.

The promotion called the ‘Antigua Carnival Passport.’

The program showcases the twin island nation’s rich culture and provides carnival enthusiasts with the opportunity to win an all-access pass to Antigua’s Carnival.

The Carnival Passport provides lucky winners with a trip to participate in the thirteen exciting days from July 27 – August 8, 2023, with entry to official ‘Antigua Carnival’ events and destination attractions.

The first leg of the promotion took place in Trinidad, where over 600 entries were received over the two days of the promotion, with winners announced live on radio stations in that country at the end of each day.

Deputy Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals commission, Cleofoster Harris, tells us how persons can win through raffles and other sweepstakes.

He said for example in Trinidad at a mall, “persons came to where we were they signed up, they were asked to spend more than $500, they would bring the receipt then we do our quick audit and they were entered into a nice looking glass bowl.”

Promotions in Trinidad and Tobago continue throughout the month of June.

Listeners to the stations will have a chance to win a trip for two to Antigua and Barbuda, with a three-night stay at the Royalton Antigua Resort, airport transfers and a complimentary tour.

Harris further explained that residents in St. Kitts may be next in line and revealed that, for the 2024 Carnival, the promotion may hit places Miami.

“They will continue throughout the year visiting all kinds of places and people will get a chance to win,” he shared.