Tourism and hotels in Antigua

Author: Fernando Frambuesa

The tourism industry is one that can change and evolve quite rapidly as many hoteliers will know. In this article we briefly look at current tourism trends around the southern eastern part of the Caribbean, and specifically for the island of Antigua.

The tourist industry for the small Caribbean island of Antigua arguably owes its roots to the sugar cane industry led very much by Sir Christopher Codrington who established the first English settlement as made the island of Antigua into a significant producer of cane sugar, bringing further investment and development to the country. Sadly much of this was of course all made possible through the slave trade. Without doubt however, Codrington put Antigua on the map and the island remained a member of the British Commonwealth until 1981. Arguably much of the island’s reputation and infrastructure can be attributed with this legacy, and the British involvement there.

Nowadays the island thrives on the tourism industry and relies heavily upon the annual arrival of tourists to some of the well-established Antigua hotels and resorts. The majority of tourist arrivals are in July and August, although Antigua attracts visitors well into October as well.

Antigua has built up a strong reputation for being a unique and luxurious tourist destination, attracting visitors with very high-standards. The resorts and hotels in Antigua reflect this very much, offering five star facilities, levels of service and amenities. Some resorts have even extended their ranges of services to include high-end spa facilities and treatments to attract visitors looking for a transformational vacation experience.

In recent years hotels in Antigua have seen a decline in the number of visitors, despite a steady pattern of growth in the years up to 2006. In some cases registered arrivals have seen a decline of over 10% percent compared with previous years. If we look at the nature of tourism in Antigua, the statistics show that almost 95% of all visitors come to the island for a holiday, with only 2.8% coming for business reasons. The main demographic of tourists lies heavily within the 15-44 age group, suggesting young professionals and families with young children.

What does this mean for people thinking of making a trip to the island or booking a hotel in Antigua? With a decline in numbers to the island, it means that the beaches and facilities will be more enjoyable than ever for those individuals hoping for a quiet and secluded break. It also means that visitors can expect to find some very competitive rates, along with superb service, since hotels and resorts in Antigua will be ever keener to impress.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/tourism-and-hotels-in-antigua-4404086.html

About the Author

Hermitage Bay is a five star luxury hotel in Antigua situated on the west coast of the island, and offers secluded, luxurious accommodation and facilities.