Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism Sector Fully Recovers from Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic

Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez says the nation’s tourism sector has successfully rebounded from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, Fernandez said the government’s commitment to health and safety measures, strategic planning, and collaboration with international partners has led to this significant achievement.

The recovery of the tourism sector not only signifies economic rejuvenation but also the restoration of employment opportunities for the country’s people, further contributing to the overall well-being of our nation.

Meanwhile, Fernandez said the country is on the verge of reaching the arrival figures for 2019, which is the best year on record.

“We are very pleased that, again, this is the best April and best four months. We are ahead of 2019 where we beat January to April, we are beating it by 8100 air arrivals, and this has nothing to do with SIDS and Cricket,” he said

Fernadez said the country is on its way to continuing this trend throughout the year.

“We are doing better in terms of summer cruise. We have a record where that is concerned. We are also going through the summer with cricket and remember we had SIDS. So, the summer numbers are also expected to be record-breaking. I hope we do not have any unforeseen circumstances like bad weather,” he said

In 2018, the cruise sector experienced a record-breaking year with around 795,000 cruise visitors. In May of 2024, both Antigua and Barbados welcomed their 500,000th passenger for the year.

With expectations of increased cruise activity later in the year, Antigua and Barbuda may set another record.

It’s worth noting that tourism is the largest revenue-generating sector for the country, contributing to approximately 60% of its gross domestic product.

The continual growth and development of tourism in the country have played a pivotal role in fostering economic prosperity and stability for the nation.

Antigua and Barbuda’s unique attractions, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality have continued to draw visitors from around the world, contributing significantly to the economic well-being of our citizens.

According to recent data, tourism accounts for a substantial portion of our gross domestic product, employment opportunities, and foreign exchange earnings.

In light of this, the government remains committed to supporting and promoting the tourism sector as a central pillar of our economic development strategy.