Tourism Authority Secures Cheaper Travel On LIAT For Local October Events

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) is building a strategic partnership with regional carrier, LIAT Airlines, to encourage travel to the twin-island destination in developing its ‘Regional Traveller’ initiative. The objective of the strategic alliance is to provide specially discounted fares on flights into Antigua & Barbuda from select regional markets for specific local events.

Tourism Authority Marketing Manager, Charmaine Spencer explained, “We are very pleased to be building a strategic relationship with LIAT as we see this as an important undertaking to continue to encourage more intra-regional travel to the destination over the long-term.” There are a series of events taking place in Antigua over the month of October and by teaming up with LIAT, the ABTA was able to ensure that the events will be well supported with affordable airfare.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Hon. John Maginley commented that, “This is a great strategic move by our destination to focus on the regional market, especially during the traditionally slower periods for international travel. Antigua and Barbuda has to continue to focus its efforts to see growth in all its target markets; the Regional Traveller concept of a weekend getaway to see a sporting event or attend a good show is quite an attractive lure, especially when it is priced right.”

For the month of October, the ABTA secured special fares from LIAT for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Qualifying match between Antigua & Barbuda and the USA on Friday October 12th. This leads into the weekend’s Love in Antigua and Bride Villa Bridal Expo headlined by world renowned wedding and event planner, Preston Bailey, scheduled for October 13 – 14. Discounted fares are also being offered the weekend of October 19 – 21 when hundreds of Caribbean cyclists will descend on Antigua for the annual Caribbean Cycling Championships 2012. The month winds down with much anticipated annual pre-independence celebrations.