Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

US arrivals in Antigua continue to rise with return of charter flight
01-12-2007

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Antigua and Barbuda's Director of Tourism in the US, Derede Samuel-Whitlock, last weekend announced that the Ministry of Tourism was happy to once again welcome Apple Vacations back to Antigua, after an absence of two years from the market.

Following six months of discussion with GWV Vacations in Boston, the tour operator which was recently bought over by Apple Vacations is now providing a weekly charter service on Saturdays, out of Logan International Airport in Boston.

The 16 week charter will service the New England States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.

These New England States represent the second largest source market for Antigua out of the United States.

"This type of charter service has in the past provided a major source of visitors for the destination and it is estimated that with its return it will comprise around 2 - 3% of the total visitors coming out of the US," said Whitlock.

The US based Tourist Board has worked extensively to attract the charter back to the island and we will continue these roadshows and promos throughout the year, she continued.

Of the 100 seats allocated to Antigua, 81 passengers disembarked from the North American Airline flight which landed at the V.C. Bird International Airport on Saturday 6th January.