The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority will launch its 2016 advertising campaign on April 20th, with the objective of maximising on the recent visitor growth and working more closely with the trade.

The new print and digital ad campaign will showcase Antigua and Barbuda under the themes of luxury, romance and fun/active.

The microsite will go live from next week.

This year’s campaign aims to generate bookings in the traditionally quieter summer months and for the following peak season.

Antigua looks to continue the momentum of positive visitor growth over the past year where June to December 2015 saw double digit growth. 

The tourist board has doubled the budget for this advertising campaign compared to last year to meet these aims.

A number of operators contributed to the campaign including Virgin Holidays, BA Holidays, Kuoni, Hayes and Jarvis, ITC Luxury, Caribtours and Gold Medal as Antigua seeks to strengthen its partnership working with the trade, driving awareness and interest in the destination.

Both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways are also participating.

The new ads are the second phase of the “Our island life” campaign which started in November 2015; a 16-sheet poster campaign, which ran across high footfall, centrally-located London underground stations ahead of the key winter and January sales period. 

The visuals for this set of ads were shot in association with Cocos Hotel and Jolly Beach.

Jean-Marc Flambert, vice president sales and marketing UK & Europe at the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority commented: “Antigua and Barbuda is committed to increasing numbers and value of tourism to the island.

“Ahead of new hotel openings in the coming years, we need to grow the demand and awareness for the islands.

“We hope that this campaign will increase business for tour operators and travel agents selling Antigua and Barbuda.”