ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) has an exciting bus advertising campaign on the streets of Barbados with a Be Here branded bus - a moving invitation for Barbadians to experience the rich culture, award-winning beaches, and remarkable events in Antigua and Barbuda.

The full-bus wrap features stunning imagery capturing the energy of Antigua Carnival, the serene beauty of Antigua and Barbudas 365 pristine beaches and landscapes, the twin-islands cuisine, and people. The bold message displayed on the bus - Be Here - is a simple yet powerful call to action, inviting Barbadians to make Antigua and Barbuda their next getaway.

The bus travels daily along one of Barbados most busy and high-profile coastal routes, commonly known as Highway 1, stretching from Speightstown in the North of the island, through the upscale and very popular West Coast district and to the capital city of Bridgetown. This corridor experiences constant vehicular and pedestrian traffic and is lined with numerous local businesses. It also runs through a popular tourist belt known for its restaurants, hotels, attractions, and cultural landmarks, making it the ideal route for maximum visibility and engagement.

“We are thrilled to bring the essence of Antigua and Barbuda to the streets of Barbados,” said Charmaine Spencer, Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America market at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA).

The Tourism Director noted that, “This campaign is about more than stunning scenery, it is about keeping Antigua and Barbuda top-of-mind and extending a heartfelt invitation to experience our vibrant festivals, savour our cuisine, and share in the warmth of our people.”

With Antigua and Barbuda participating in the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), in Barbados, the branded bus made a special appearance for Antigua and Barbudas Country Night celebrations at the CARIFESTA Grand Market. Ahead of the countrys dynamic performance on Thursday, August 27, performers from the Antigua and Barbuda delegation arrived in style aboard the destination branded bus, drawing attention on the streets and at the CARIFESTA venue. Disembarking in full costume Antigua and Barbudas newly crowned Queen of Carnival Kia Kirwan and the team of talented dancers and drummers, created a visual spectacle and generated buzz, highlighting the twin-islands colourful culture and vibrancy. The activation with the cultural performers tied seamlessly into ABTAs Be campaign, which invites audiences to “Be Immersed” in Antigua and Barbudas culture and arts year-round.

As regional travel continues to grow, the ABTA aims to strengthen inter-island connections and encourage Caribbean neighbours to rediscover the unique offerings of the twin-island nation. Barbados, a key regional source market, presents an ideal audience with strong travel interest, cultural affinity, and accessible flight connections.

“Whether it is relaxing on one of our 365 beaches, dining on freshly grilled lobster in Barbuda, joining us for Culinary Month, Cricket or Antigua Carnival we want our Barbadian neighbours to feel welcomed and inspired to explore all that Antigua and Barbuda has to offer,” remarked Spencer.

Visitors to the Antigua and Barbuda booth at CARIFESTA were warmly welcomed by a team from the ABTA that included Marketing Officer Francine Joseph, Marketing Communications Manager Maria Blackman, and Digital Media Manager Sharifa George. Guests were treated to a taste of the islands, with miniature product samples and were invited to enter a special travel competition for a chance to win airline tickets for two to Antigua, compliments of LIAT Air. While in Barbados, the team also participated in media interviews, inviting listeners to Be in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Be Here campaign complements ABTAs regional strategy to promote year-round travel and elevate the profile of signature and new events, such as the Antigua Racing Cup, Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month, Antigua Carnival, and Antigua and Barbuda Art Week.

The Be Here bus advertising in Barbados commenced in June and will run until November.