Destination News

More Connections To Antigua And Barbuda With BA’s Heathrow Route

(ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA) July 22, 2021 – Antigua and Barbuda welcomed on Wednesday the resumption of the British Airways flight route from London Heathrow to Antigua.  It has been over thirty years since British Airways operated a flight to Antigua from Heathrow.  The flight is a key step in bringing further accessibility to UK travellers following the inclusion of Antigua and Barbuda on the UK’s coveted Green List.

Charles Fernandez, Minister for Tourism and Investment has said “The increase in airlift with British Airways is a very positive step for Antigua and Barbuda. The island is currently the number one destination in the Caribbean for BA and with additional flights running over summer and beyond, we are in a strong position to cater to the strong demand from one of our most important markets.”

The European market will also benefit from the new route which allows for seamless airline connections from Heathrow, which is a major gateway into the United Kingdom for many European airlines.

Yesterday’s flight also played host to a group of influential UK media and tour operators who are working closely with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority in the promotion of the destination. Over the course of their visit, the media and the agents will explore English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard, as well as some of the Antigua’s most loved restaurants, beaches and adventure activities. Key tour operators from Carrier, Kenwood Travel, Best at Travel and Caribtours are being joined by influential media from top tier trade and consumer titles, Robb Report, Travel Weekly, Wanderlust Magazine and the Press Association.

Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism UK & Europe for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has said “It’s an excellent time to bring key UK journalists and agents to Antigua and Barbuda so they can safely experience the destination for themselves. The demand for holidays to Antigua and Barbuda has been immense, particularly with our inclusion on the UK’s Green List. This is an opportune trip to reach this key market in order to encourage bookings and visitation this summer and beyond.”

The addition to the UK’s Green List has been a key turning point this year as UK travellers are able to now holiday in Antigua and Barbuda without the need for quarantine on their return to the UK. This media and agent FAM trip is an instrumental step in promoting the islands as an ideal destination for a post-lockdown holiday and this inaugural flight will be followed by increased airlift over the summer. Beautiful beaches, some of the world’s leading hotels and amazing on island activities, Antigua and Barbuda is a nation that has consistently offered luxury escapes, romantic getaways, family fun, and above all, a healthy and safe island paradise.

Antigua and Barbuda Releases New Adverts For ‘Your Space In The Sun’ Tourism Campaign

(ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA) July 14, 2021 – The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has intensified marketing efforts with the rollout of the next phase of Antigua and Barbuda’s ‘Your Space In The Sun’ campaign.

From July through to September, consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom will see Antigua and Barbuda advertising in-stadia, on radio – traditional, digital and streaming, in print – with advertising in major publications, through online programmatic and retargeting adverts and via strategic influencer social media campaigns.

Building on the concept of the ‘Your Space In the Sun’ campaign launched in July 2020, new creatives have been designed to entice persons to book Antigua and Barbuda.  The 2021 ‘Your Space In The Sun’ thirty and sixty second campaign videos feature stunning imagery and invitations to visitors to lose track of time, broaden their horizons and enjoy all the space they need in the destination.

This latest advertising push by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, comes immediately following the relaxing of Covid-19 travel restrictions in the United States and United Kingdom, that have opened up travel to Antigua and Barbuda.

“We have seen a rapid increase in demand for Antigua and Barbuda from these regions and expect to have a busy summer season. Our focus now is to build on this momentum with enhanced marketing activity that will take us through to the Fall”, said CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James.

As more tourism markets for Antigua and Barbuda re-open with flights available to the destination, ‘Your Space In The Sun’ advertising will roll out in these locations.

St. Martin Says “Bonjour” To Two Brand-New Frontier Airlines Services

St. Martin, W.I (July 12, 2021) – On Saturday, July 10^th, Frontier Airlines inaugurated two nonstop flights from Miami and Orlando to the shores of St. Martin. Orlando in particular is a brand-new gateway for St. Martin, which opens up opportunities in the feeder markets of Atlanta, Denver, Philadelphia, Newark and Baltimore.

Ms. Valérie Damaseau, the first Vice President of the French St. Martin Territorial Council and President of St. Martin’s Tourist Office was present for the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Princess Juliana International Airport, alongside Ms. De Weever, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication of Sint Maarten.

“We are delighted that Frontier Airlines has added two new services to our friendly island. The new launch will help us expand our presence in key regions in Florida, in both Miami and Orlando. We will continue to work diligently in order to maintain St. Martin as one of the most sought-after Caribbean destinations to visit,” stated Ms. Aida Weinum, Director of the St. Martin Tourist Office. “With high demand travel to the Caribbean, we thank and welcome visitors, honeymooners, and any beach lovers to fly Frontier Airlines as they visit the tropical paradise of St. Martin.”

Frontier Airlines is now a valued partner for St. Martin, allowing the destination to expand its outreach within the Florida area. It is hoped that the power of both Miami and Orlando to attract international visitors from all across the globe will result in St. Martin being part of a two-center vacation for visitors seeking to combine Florida with an amazing Euro-Caribbean experience. S t. Martin has a great deal to offer — cooler summers, white sand beaches, a host of outdoor adventure activities and multi-cultured cuisine.

The new Miami and Orlando flights are now operating weekly on Saturdays. For more information and to make reservations, please contact flyfrontier.com or your preferred Travel Agent.

St. Kitts & Nevis Reduces Restrictions for International Air Travelers

Basseterre, St. Kitts (July 12, 2021) – On Saturday, July 10, 2021, The Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris announced, effective Monday, July 12, 2021, the Vacation in Place period for fully vaccinated international air travelers is reduced from nine days to three days, with testing on day four and the ability to fully integrate into the Federation upon receipt of a negative test result.

International borders remain open for travel by commercial air and sea vessels. As summer family travel is at its peak in July, the travel requirements for non-vaccinated children under 18 have been aligned with those of their parents:

• Non-vaccinated children under 18 traveling with fully vaccinated parents are welcome.
• Non-vaccinated children under 18 traveling with fully vaccinated parents will observe the same period of Vacation in Place as their parents.

The increased vaccination rate in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, with 69.7% of the adult population having received one dose of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine and 57.6% of the adult population fully vaccinated, has achieved notable improvements over the past two weeks managing the number of Covid-19 cases since the first case of community spread was reported on May 19, 2021, resulting in 530 cases and three (3) deaths.

As announced on May 29, 2021 only fully vaccinated travelers will be allowed entry to the Federation. Exemptions are in place for Citizens and Residents of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and children under the age of 18 coming from international destinations. All Travel Protocols and Requirements remain in place for the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis. Please see  https://www.stkittstourism.kn/travel-requirements

Travel Restrictions for the UK, Brazil, India and South Africa remain in place, with persons from the aforementioned destinations denied entry into the Federation at this time.

The previously announced travel requirements for non-vaccinated travelers are null and void.  Below are the travel requirements for fully vaccinated travelers:

1. A traveler is considered fully vaccinated when two weeks have passed since receiving their second dose of a two dose vaccine series (Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or AstraZeneca/Oxford) or two weeks after they have received a single dose vaccine (Johnson + Johnson).

1. Proof of vaccination is a scanned copy of the traveler’s official COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Upon submission of their vaccination card and completion of their travel authorization form, once verified, international travelers will receive authorization of their vaccination card and a KN number.

1. Traveler must complete the Travel Authorization Form on the national website (www.knatravelform.kn), including uploading your proof of vaccination and proof of booking at a Travel Approved hotel.

1. Upon submission of a completed KNA travel form, the traveler must upload their official COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test result from a CLIA/CDC/UKAS approved lab accredited with ISO/IEC 17025 standard taken 72 hours prior to travel. There are no exceptions to the 72-hour timeframe. 

Upon submission of the copy of their official vaccination card and copy of their COVID -19 RT-PCR test negative result, the traveler’s information will be reviewed and they will receive the approval letter to enter the Federation.

1. For their trip, the traveler should bring a copy of their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card and their negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test. Please note, acceptable COVID-19 RT-PCR tests must be taken by nasopharyngeal sample. Self-samples, rapid tests, or home tests will be considered invalid.

1. International travelers will undergo a health screening at the airport which includes a temperature check and a health questionnaire. Upon arrival, if a fully vaccinated traveler is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 during the health screening, they can be required to undergo a RT- PCR test at the airport at their own cost (150 USD).

1. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving by air will be asked to Vacation in Place at a “Travel Approved” hotel for three days.
2. All fully vaccinated international travelers arriving by air are free to move throughout the “Travel Approved” hotel, interact with other guests and partake in hotel activities only.

1. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving by air and staying beyond three days are required to be tested on day four (USD 150 visitors’ cost) of their stay and once their test is negative, they may integrate into the Federation.

1. Effective May 1, 2021, fully vaccinated international travelers arriving by air are not required to submit an exit RT-PCR test. If a pre-departure test is still required for the country of destination, the RT-PCR test will be taken 72 hours prior to departure. Example: If a person is staying 7 days, their pre-departure test will be on day 4; if a person is staying 14 days, their pre-departure test will be taken on day 11.
2. Travel Approved hotels for international travelers are:
   1. Four Seasons
   2. Golden Rock Inn
   3. Marriott Beach Club
   4. Montpelier Plantation & Beach
   5. Paradise Beach
   6. Park Hyatt

International travelers who would like to stay at private rental home or condo must stay at a property that has been pre-approved as a quarantine housing at their own cost, including security. Please submit request to info@stkittstourism.kn

TTAL To Diversify Tobago’s Tourism Product With Wellness Niche

SCARBOROUGH Tobago, Wednesday July 07, 2021: Tobago’s tourism authorities have initiated a three-phased project that will strategically develop a wellness tourism niche for the destination, with phase one involving the upcoming virtual conference “Exploring Wellness Tourism 360” from July 8^th to 9^th, 2021.

The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited’s Roadmap for Growth 2020 – 2023 identified the need to explore new niche development and diversification, as well as support and rejuvenate existing niches. In reassessing Tobago’s assets to ascertain growth potential in the post-COVID era of tourism and travel, the wellness tourism niche was identified as a viable option to be developed into quality and competitive tourism products.

The Honourable Ancil Dennis, Tobago’s Chief Secretary and Secretary for Tourism, Culture and Transportation stated:

“I am comfortable that Tobago has all the components necessary for wellness tourism. Fresh air, beautiful scenery, natural green spaces, endless exciting physical activities. In fact, this has been one of several aspects of tourism that the Tobago House of Assembly has been discussing for quite some time now to diversify our tourism product. Covid-19 has allowed us a unique opportunity to reset. We in the Tobago House of Assembly remain committed to sustaining the environment and providing the necessary resources needed to ensure Tobago’s continued and improved attractiveness and competitiveness.”

Wellness tourism puts one’s health and well-being at the epicentre of their travel experience.  Trips organized around the principle of wellness tourism usually include healthy food, exercise, spa treatments, and opportunities to experience holistic development and spiritual activities including mediation and yoga. However, for Tobago, the Agency will seek to develop a unique brand of wellness that aligns with the destination’s brand position of providing “Beyond Ordinary” experiences that go beyond the typical wellness offerings.

TTAL’s development of Tobago’s wellness tourism niche will occur in three phases: phase one involves the hosting of an international educational and inspirational conference called “Exploring Wellness Tourism 360”; phase two will include follow up workshops for on-island tourism stakeholders; and phase three will seethe creative development and launch of the niche offerings as part of the destinations suite of experiences in a post COVID-19 world.

Speaking on the upcoming event to be hosted on July 8^th and 9^th, TTAL’s Director of Product Development and Destination Management, Mr. Narendra Ramgulam said:

“The Exploring Wellness Tourism 360 conference presents an ideal environment for enhancing and building our local capacity, and kick-start our niche development efforts with a collaborative approach that embraces local and international stakeholder involvement. We are excited to feature industry experts from around the globe to speak on topics from wellness to branding and entrepreneurship, as well as local wellness and tourism stakeholders that can help give insight into what the destination has to offer.

The event is both is both educational and participative in nature, and will inspire – and challenge – attendees to go beyond the traditional concept of wellness. If I had to sum it up into three words, this conference is about awakening our potential.”

Interested persons can register online for “Exploring Wellness Tourism 360” at www.hopin.com/events/exploring-wellness-tourism-360

For more information on the event, follow the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ttaltobago, and visit the “Exploring Wellness Tourism 360” Facebook event page at https://fb.me/e/dEo9pzgwz