In May, the accommodation sector in Antigua and Barbuda saw a strong performance, with higher occupancy rates compared to the same period in 2019, which was considered one of the best years for tourism.

According to the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association, the occupancy rate for May 2024 was 67.1 percent, an increase from 62.2 percent in May 2019.

The ABHTA also mentioned that the 2022 occupancy rate was even more promising at 70.8 percent.

However, they noted that in 2022, there were fewer room nights and rooms sold compared to 2019. It was suggested that a more accurate comparison would be against the 2019 data when the number of room nights was similar.

In terms of arrivals, there were a total of 24,913 visitors in May 2024, up from 22,191 in May 2019.

The United States remained the primary source market for tourists, accounting for 56 percent of visitors in May 2024, compared to 45 percent in May 2019.

On the other hand, the UK market declined from 25 percent to 18 percent, and the Canadian market decreased from 10 percent to 4 percent over the same period.

The decline in the percentage of visitors from the UK and Canada was attributed to issues with airlifts, as there have been fewer flights into Antigua and Barbuda from these markets compared to five years ago.

Efforts are underway by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the ABHTA to encourage airlines to increase their flights into the region, although progress is ongoing.