The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua and Barbuda this month bodes well for Canadians travelling this winter to the dual-island destination, with the national carrier expected to ramp up to five flights a week in peak season.
The first weekly flight arrived at V.C Bird International Airport on Oct. 6 carrying 106 passengers from Toronto with the aircraft given a welcome-back water cannon salute. Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers and music and small token welcome gifts (banner photo).
In addition to the Toronto flight, travellers from Montreal will have once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning Dec. 23.
“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said Colin James, CEO the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) at the arrival ceremony. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”
The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry.
However, while a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low in the islands, visitors are still encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather.
“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said James. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”
At the recent Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, tourism executives said the destination is continuing to build on a record-breaking year in arrivals, with increased airlift and growth in the product – including the cruise and yachting industry – and new excursions with a multitude of new properties in the pipeline.
Said James: “We’ve seen unprecedented numbers in arrivals with air arrivals for the past three months, July to September surpassing air arrivals for the corresponding months in 2019, which was our best year.”
He added, “We’ve been busy at work for the past two years, adding properties, products and attractions with renovations taking place in many.”
The tourism authority has rolled out a two-year marketing plan to boost arrivals by leveraging the islands’ strengths with an emphasis on marketing pillars such as Romance, Yachting and Sailing, Heritage and Culture, and Wellness.
Additionally, the islands’ will be positioned as a year-round destination.
Showcase Antigua and Barbuda
Meanwhile, the ABTA and Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) have announced that the 8th installment of Showcase Antigua and Barbuda will take place on June 7-9, 2023. The dedicated travel trade business-to-business event is aimed at increasing business from the destination’s main source markets in the US, Canada, UK, Europe and the Caribbean and targets tour operators and buyers from overseas markets. Registration details are to come.