The success of Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) has led to double-digit growth in air arrivals from the USA and attracting new properties, including big names such as Marriott.
This has resulted in Antigua and Barbuda dominating in the Caribbean Journal’s 2016 ‘Caribbean Travel Awards.’ The Honorable Asot A. Michael, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy was named the ‘Caribbean Minister of the Year,’ Mr. Colin C. James, CEO, ABTA was named ‘Caribbean Tourism Director of the Year,’ and Antigua and Barbuda took the winning crown, being named ‘Caribbean Destination of the Year.’
The Caribbean Journal was founded in 2011 as the first pan-Caribbean newspaper, with cutting edge analysis, unmatched original content, on-location video, the publication has changed the way the Caribbean gets its news, and is today, one of the leading publications in the Caribbean market.
Antigua and Barbuda won ‘Caribbean Destination of the Year,’ because of the strong increase in visitors, the pipeline of new hotel projects, as well as the new VC Bird International airport that only add to the full portfolio of portfolio of properties and hotels. The Honorable Minister Michael was recognized as being one of the Caribbean’s most forward-thinking Tourism Ministers and being instrumental in helping to drive Antigua’s strong growth this year, as well as turning Antigua and Barbuda into a hub for hotel projects and major projects such as the airport’s new solar farm.
The ABTA CEO, Mr. James, was recognized as being instrumental in managing the Tourism Authority to the strong position it has today with almost 10% growth overall, and 20% within the US, the largest market for the destination. These awards bring great prominence to Antigua and Barbuda, positioning the destination as the tourism leader in the industry for the upcoming year.
“I am incredibly honored to be named the ‘Tourism Minister of the Year,’ by the Caribbean Journal. Since taking office in 2014 we have been relentlessly working to attract investments, investing in improving our on-island tourism products as well as access touch points including our new airport and our port so as to become the leader in the region. While we are excited by what we have achieved so far, we are dedicated to continuing to invest, improve and raise awareness of Antigua and Barbuda to attract even more visitors and provide them the absolutely best experience possible in travel,” said Honorable Minister Michael.
The CEO, Mr. James, shared his thoughts on the win, “We are very proud to be recognized for all of the hard work and dedication that the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority have been investing so as to turn our twin-isles into the regional tourism leader. I am proud of this recognition, which is accepted on behalf of all our tourism teams both on island and in the source markets who have worked tirelessly to achieve the positive growth that we are seeing. This award truly signifies that Antigua and Barbuda are the new leaders in attracting visitors, investment and dynamic properties in the Caribbean. In addition, I am pleased with the recognition of our team’s marketing and digital strategy as being one of the best in the industry. We would not have won this award without all of their hard work.”
The Caribbean Journal was founded in 2011 as the first pan-Caribbean newspaper, with cutting edge analysis, unmatched original content, on-location video, the publication has changed the way the Caribbean gets its news, and is today, one of the leading publications in the Caribbean market.
You guys cannot compere the infrastructure of Antigua to Dominica for starters where is the white sand beaches?ops i suppose that is Skeritts fault to. You know Dominicans are so stupid when it comes to common sense.
Maybe this minister of tourism in Antigua could teach our tourism minister a thing or two
The picture we are viewing is a section of the village of English Harbor, not the city of St. John’s; nevertheless, Skerrit claimed prior to his last election that he was going to transform Dominica, in a way that every island under the sun in the Caribbean would be compelled to use Dominica as a model to develop, and transform their country.
That Mountain Chicken Carpaud (Crapo) Mentality Sly Eye Sir Knight Indian doctor of nothing, Roosevelt Skerrit even presented some fake architectural drawing which he said Roseau would look exactly like what was displayed on this very DNO.
To this day election came and gone; yet the yellow belly Mountain Chicken Crapo maybe forget about the transformation. Either that or he has eaten his lie, and the paper with the drawings.
Oh! What a tangled web Skerrit weave around his neck each time he try to deceive the people of the country!
So what are Emerald pool, Trafalgar falls, Champagne and the Waitikubuli trail doing for us? Are we marketed properly and adequately?
Time for Dominica to Buck up. We always love last place in everything.
My wife and I over night in Antigua July 1st on our way back to the U.S.I can say this is a first class terminal building.Not huge as what you will find in North America and else where ,but the technology or the facilities at the airport A 1. An other thing, the taxi driver told us the air port and a few other big projects are all done by the government of China.While here in Dominica we are forever complaining about the Chinese.It would be far better if we could finance our own projects.But sad to say we don’t have the wherewithal.so let us be thankful.
Skerrit take a statehouse for 1 man, while Antigua took a terminal……..-D
I have seen pics of Antigua vc bird new terminal..its probably has a few nicer features about than other islands.but don’t be too in a hurry to say its 1st class A1 ..I am sure Barbados and st maarten Airport surpasses Antigua’s on many fronts..after all Antigua terminal looks like a rip off of Princess Julianna’s Terminal in St Maarten..which I already suspect still has more class than Antigua’s… Bahamas has a new terminal and soon to open in 2017 St Vincents Agyle Intl..then comes possible New Construction of St Lucia’s Terminal ..which I Suspect Strongly Will be thee most spectacular Modern ..very very Modern Terminal in the OECS and surpassing ANTIGUA ,St Vincent, St Maarten,Barbados ,Trinidad ( Piarco is def bigger than those other small islands airport but not as pretty)..and the bahamas
Tell me what technology are you referring to that presently exist in Antigua’s airport that perhaps the other OECS and Barbados don’t have ?..pls enlighten me…and no small islands airport in the Caribbean except for perhaps that of Puerto Rico resembles anything that exist in north america
Congratulations. You guys deserve it. You guys have the international airport that enhances the
Tourism product. Bravo. Job well done
Congratulations Mr. James, you continue to make me proud. One of the best GM Cable and Wireless Dominica ever had. Congratulations on your achievements Sir.
I am not surprised because Antigua has put in the infrastructure to attract foreign investors into their land.
Dominica has a lot to learn form our neighbors .