Colin C. James, CEO of Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism UK & Europe Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority along with tourism partners. (Photo courtesy: Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority)
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority recently participated in the TTG Tavel Experience in Rimini, Italy. This key event for the tourism industry allowed Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Officials to reinforce its presence in the Italian market and strengthen relationships with local partners. The twin islands recorded a 16.74% increase in arrivals of Italian tourists between January and August 2024, reaffirming their growing appeal to Italian travelers.
Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, represented the twin islands at the fair, and Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism UK & Europe at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. The Tourism Authority CEO, Colin C. James, said, “The TTG Travel Experience was an excellent opportunity to introduce several new developments aimed at strengthening the twin islands' connections with Italy. With Antigua and Barbuda being one of only three Caribbean destinations present, we were able to make a major impact at the largest business-to-business travel show in Italy.”
James also highlighted the return of a key flight route. “Starting November 5, 2024, Condor Airlines will resume its direct weekly flight between Frankfurt and Antigua. This connection is beneficial to the European market, including Italy, offering convenient same day connections from various northern Italian cities, making travel to Antigua and Barbuda easier.”
“The good news for the Italian market is that Condor has already confirmed that a high percentage of these flights are passengers connecting from Italy”, he said.
According to the latest data released by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, from January to August 2024, the twin islands recorded a 16.74% increase in arrivals compared to the same period last year, with a total of 229,275 visitors compared to 196,393 in 2023. Specifically, the number of Italian tourists reached 2,039, marking an 18.48% growth compared to 2023.
During the event, over 33 meetings were held with leading Italian travel agencies and tour operators, and more than 350 visitors were welcomed to the stand, confirming the growing interest in the destination from the Italian market.
Several key Antiguan stakeholders accompanied the Tourism Authority delegation: Stephanie Mack, Caribbean Beach Cottages, representing notable properties such as Cocos Hotel, Keyonna Beach, and Hawksbill Resort; Giusy Magni, Italian Representative for the luxurious Hermitage Bay Resort; and Tiziano Rosignoli, Sales Manager for Passion Village Antigua, which includes a complex of apartments and villas, as well as the 3-star Ocean Point Resort and Francesca Coletti of Treasure Island Magazine. Consul General and Non-Resident Ambassador to Italy H.E Jeff Hadeed was also at the show, to lend his support to Team Tourism.
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