ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Photo : Rossana Ferrari, Press Tours Representative, Captain Ventura, Colin James & Blue Panorama flight attendants raise a toast.

Blue Panorama; an Italian Airline made its inaugural flight into V.C. Bird International Airport, Antigua early this morning.  The weekly charter flight which originates in Milan provides airlift to Antigua for the steadily growing Italian visitor market. 

The Italian market has always been a very buoyant market for Antigua and Barbuda bringing in over 7,000 visitor arrivals last year.

This route was formerly serviced by Livingston Airlines, another Italian Charter operator which went into liquidation in September of this year. At that time it was doubtful whether another airline would be able to meet all of the necessary requirements to begin operating in time for the winter season 2011.

Negotiations were held between the Ministry of Tourism, The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, and representatives of Press Tours, an Italian Tour Operator and Blue Panorama Airlines to arrive at a solution.

Minister of Tourism, Honourable John Maginley commended the UK Tourism Office for the role they played in the negotiating process. “We understand that this is an investment by the Italian tour operator, Press Tours and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority to ensure that airlift continues from this growing source market. This is the second inaugural flight into Antigua and Barbuda in the space of a week and demonstrates the confidence of our tourism partners in the destination. Press Tours is to be commended as a partner in securing the seats on Blue Panorama to make the charter possible. We are fully committed to ensuring the success of the charter for the upcoming season and beyond,” said Antigua and Barbuda's Minister of Tourism, Hon. John Maginley.
 
Hilary Modeste Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe commented “The successful negotiation of this contract is great news for us. The Italian market is a very important source market with great potential and we intend to capitalize on it fully.  Blue Panorama is giving us the opportunity to do so in 2011.” 

Mr. Colin C. James, CEO Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority was present at V.C. Bird International Airport to welcome the inaugural flight. “This flight is vital for us if we are to maintain and grow our visitor numbers out of Italy. Over the Christmas season alone; between now and the 3rd January 2011, Blue Panorama will bring 207 Italian visitors to Antigua & Barbuda with strong forward bookings for the rest of the season. ”