Homeporting expected to expand next season

With the success of homeporting in Antigua and Barbuda, the industry is expected to expand with vessels arriving at the Falmoth Harbor next winter season.

The small luxury cruise line, Sailing Classics will be making that call.

Director of Tourism in the UK and Europe Cherrie Osborne explained briefly the next steps.

“We have for instance, luxury sailing operator, they carry about 50 to 60 passengers they now will be homeporting. So, every two weeks, they will be bringing 50 to 60 high end luxury clients who would do pre and post stays,” Osborne said.

Home porting allows travelers to start and conclude their cruises in Antigua, which brings considerable economic advantages to the island. Often, visitors extend their stays, utilizing local accommodations, transportation, dining, and other services before or after their trips.

At the end of its home porting season, the Twin Island Nation of Antigua and Barbuda had 20,000 turnaround passengers, a significant rise from the 6,000 passengers recorded three years ago.

Along with increased homeporting, efforts are being made to increase flights and offer new links between Antigua and Barbuda and Europe.

Negotiations with Condor Airlines was just one of several the group would have conducted successfully.

Flights started in November last year.

Osborne said with the data they have received in terms of flights has been very positive and is confident they will return for a second season.

She explained it was due to the reconnection with Condor why the expansion of homeporting in Falmoth Harbor is happening.

Diversifying their marketing tactics and keeping up with the latest trends were two areas Osborne mentioned the group will continue to focus in continuing to gain interest from the UK and European market.