Cheaper flights to Antigua for local October events secured with LIAT airlines

In order to ensure travellers have easy access to the twin-island nation this October, the tourism authorities in Antigua and Barbuda are pushing to secure air travel routes in the region with LIAT Airlines. This move will help boost the number of tourists taking Antigua holidays this month with new and more affordable travel fares.

The Tourist Authority for Antigua and Barbuda (ABTA) is currently in the process of securing a new deal with regional air carrier LIAT airlines in order to provide the islands with better serviced routes during the month of October, which is packed full of events in the twin-island nation’s calendar.

With the aim of promoting tourism and enticing more travellers to go on holidays to Antigua and Barbuda during this very special month, tourism officials are in talks with LIAT to develop a “Regional Traveller” initiative. The main aim of this newly-established strategic alliance is to provide specially discounted fares on flights to Antigua and Barbuda from select regional markets for specific local events such as the special events planned for this October in the islands.

Charmaine Spencer, Tourism Authority marketing manager of Antigua and Barbuda, 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 scheduled to take place in Antigua over the month of October and by teaming up with LIAT, the ABTA is able to make sure that said events will be well supported with affordable airfare for those planning Antigua holidays.

Image by: IDEE_PER_VIAGGIARE, on Flickr

John Maginley commented, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, added to this by saying “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.”

Throughout the month of October, the ABTA secured special fares from LIAT for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Qualifying match between Antigua and Barbuda and the USA on Friday 12th October. This will lead into the special romantic weekend’s Love in Antigua and Bride Villa Bridal Expo, headlined by world renowned wedding and event planner, Preston Bailey and scheduled for 13-14th October 2012.

Discounted fares are also being offered the weekend 19 - 21st October when hundreds of Caribbean cyclists will descend on Antigua for the annual Caribbean Cycling Championships 2012. The month will then wind down with the much-anticipated annual pre-independence celebrations, which locals and visitors alike enjoy every year and which can put a special touch to travellers' relaxing holidays in Antigua.

Some of the flight fares to Antigua and Barbuda start as low as US$154 per person plus applicable taxes which is expected to help in seducing hundredes of visitors into heading to the islands.