Antigua & Barbuda Celebrates Their 100,000th U.S. Visitor Arrival with Guest Staying at Pineapple Beach Club

The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda ended 2016 on a high note by celebrating the arrival of its 100,000th U.S. Visitor for the year, for the first time in over ten years. This milestone is a crowning achievement in a banner year for tourism that included announcing multiple new properties, the re-opening of Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, and a variety of awards and achievements including most recently being named ‘Destination of the Year,’ by Caribbean Journal’s 2016 Caribbean Travel Awards.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170104006128/en/

From left: ABTA CEO, Mr. James; Tourism Cadet, Alicia Paul; Tourism Consultant, Ms. Nibbs; 100,000th U.S. visitors, Denis Murphy and Jean Larsen; US Director of Tourism, Ms. Jack Riley (Photo: Business Wire)

The 100,000th US Visitor was Ms. Jean Larsen, an artist and philanthropist, who works with Pink Rock, a breast cancer survivor charity. Ms. Larsen was traveling with her partner, Denis Murphy, on American Airlines flight 978 from New York-JFK to V.C. Bird International Airport, and was greeted with flowers and prizes by the Minister of Tourism, Honorable Asot Michael, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Mr. Colin James, and U.S. Director of Tourism, Ms. Kim Jack Riley.

In honor of this milestone, Elite Island Resorts provided the Grand Prize of a complimentary 3-night stay for two at Antigua’s newest All-Inclusive resort, Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, to Ms. Larsen. Pineapple Beach Club is Antigua’s most laidback Adults-Only resort, located in a tropical hideaway where the beach curves in a perfect quarter-miles arc of brilliant, powdery white sand. The resort offers Caribbean-style accommodations amidst 30 acres of lush gardens, where guests can swim in the resort’s two freshwater pools, enjoy a gamut of non-motorized watersports or dine al fresco at one of the seaside restaurants.

All of the passengers on the flight were treated to special music and dancers upon arrival, as well as a gift bag filled with local delicacies and a discount code for island tours to complement their stays.

Tourism arrivals to Antigua from the U.S. have been strong throughout the year, with double-digit growth month over month. According to the latest statistics, at the end of November 2016, arrivals from the U.S. were at an 18.35% increase that is predicted to grow once December figures are released. This growth is particularly significant, as the U.S. remains Antigua and Barbuda’s largest source market for arrivals. Overall visitor arrivals have also increased by 7.42% year over year as of November, with numbers suggesting the year will end with over 250,000 global visitors overall.

About Elite Island Resorts

Elite Island Resorts represents an impressive portfolio of All-Inclusive Caribbean beachfront resorts. Each resort provides a uniquely authentic Caribbean vacation experience, from destination weddings and honeymoons, to romantic escapes, family retreats, and eco vacations. Resorts include: St. James’s Club & Villas, The Verandah Resort & Spa, Pineapple Beach Club Antigua and Galley Bay Resort & Spa, all in Antigua; St. James’s Club Morgan Bay, St. Lucia; Long Bay Beach Club in Tortola, BVI; Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Grenadines; The Club, Barbados Resort & Spa; and Los Establos Boutique Hotel in Boqueté, Panama. For more information, visit www.eliteislandresorts.com or call 800-858-4618.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170104006128/en/