Antigua & Barbuda Gives Cruise Travel Top Priority

Antigua and Barbuda’s placement as a strategic destination in the various itineraries of the world’s top cruise lines, was at the top of the agenda for a series of high-level one-on-one meetings in direct support of the Government’s pledge to expand and sustain Antigua and Barbuda’s cruise sector at the Seatrade Cruise Global Tradeshow, held in Florida from last week.

Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation consisting of officials from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, St John’s Development Corporation and private sector industry partners made the case to grow overall tourism; particularly in the extension of the cruise tourism season.

The focus of discussions and negotiations with cruise line executives was to increase destination calls, explore new marketing opportunities as well as the reinforcement of traditional ones.

Team Antigua and Barbuda also used the event to update the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and individual cruise lines on the investment in upgrading the cruise infrastructure.

The advent of the fifth and sixth berths will allow for increased competitiveness, giving the destination the ability to accommodate the largest class of cruise ships being built, and providing passengers with an enhanced visitor shore experience.

Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation was supported in these technical discussions by the President of Meridian Construction, whose company a year and a half ago completed the work on the extension of the Heritage Quay pier and; architects Moffat and Nichols, who have a notable track record and are well known in cruise industry.

Both companies will be involved in the US$30 million project for the 5th berth. This will be ready by end October, in time for the start of the 2018/2019 cruise season and will allow Antigua and Barbuda to welcome the largest ships in the world.

The delegation assured the cruise executives that guests to our shores will experience the very best that we have to offer in a safe, welcoming and entertaining environment filled with exciting new shore excursion options and authentic destination experiences.

Source: Caribbean360