The Antigua and Barbuda Minister responsible for Tourism, Asot Michael, has welcomed the announcement by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, of a partial change to the Air Passenger Duty (APD) effective 15 May 2015.

The British Chancellor announced on December 3rd the abolition of the APD for children under the age of 12 from next May.   He also announced that from May 2016, the tax will also be removed for passengers under 16 years old. 

Minister Michael said that he welcomes the “partial removal of the APD, because it will reduce the costs for families travelling to Antigua and Barbuda on holiday and will boost tourism from the UK from next May”.   But, he emphasized that “it is in the interest of the British tourist industry as much as the tourism industry in the Caribbean for the APD to be abolished altogether since it adds a prohibitive cost to travelers who could be spending more on their holidays”.

The APD has risen by up to 160 per cent since it was introduced twenty years ago and six times in the last six years.

Minister Michael pointed out that the banding of Caribbean countries with competitive destinations much further from London continues to place the region as a disadvantage.  He said that, along with Caribbean tourism authorities, Antigua and Barbuda will continue to urge that the British government drop the APD altogether.

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About Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew' da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua & Barbuda comprises 108-square miles. The 365 white and pink sand beaches, one for every day of the year, are just the beginning of the treasures that await visitors.  Antigua's rich history and spectacular topography provide a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson's Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort commissioned by the British in 1755, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Betty's Hope, built in 1674, is the site of one of the first full-scale sugar plantations on Antigua, and offers a chance to step back into time by visiting the restored mills. Another unique attraction is Devil's Bridge, located at the eastern tip of the island in Indian Town National Park, where Atlantic breakers have carved out a natural limestone arch. Antigua boasts a varied tourism calendar including events such as the World Class Antigua Sailing Week, Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Sports Fishing and also the annual Carnival; known as the Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival. Island accommodation ranges from luxury resorts and all-inclusive hotels to smaller more intimate boutique guesthouses and cottages. For information about Antigua & Barbuda visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com