Antigua and Barbuda is stepping up its culinary tourism efforts with a targeted campaign designed to increase visitor spending during the slower summer travel season, according to Antigua.news.
Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, made the announcement while speaking to reporters in Guadeloupe on Friday. He revealed that organizers of Caribbean Marketplace — which is expected to bring more than 500 delegates to Antigua next week — have woven local cuisine into the fabric of the event experience.
"We want them to eat like a local," James said, explaining that delegates will be actively encouraged to dine at local restaurants and eateries throughout the conference.
As reported by Antigua.news, the island's well-established "Restaurant Week" initiative has now expanded into a full "Restaurant Month," reflecting growing momentum within the local food industry. James noted that nearly every restaurant, along with many smaller local food establishments, is now participating in the initiative — a sign of the sector's increasing appetite for culinary tourism opportunities.
Tourism officials have also introduced visitor "food passports" as part of the campaign, designed to encourage patrons to explore multiple dining locations during the promotional period.
James framed the culinary push as one component of a broader strategy to stimulate economic activity across the tourism sector during traditionally quieter travel periods, while simultaneously showcasing Antigua and Barbuda's distinct food culture to an international audience.
