ST. KITTS’ SOARING SUCCESS PAVES THE WAY FOR 2024
Basseterre, St. Kitts (January 3, 2024) – Celebrating a triumphant 2023 marked by accolades, strategic initiatives, and increased visibility, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority looks ahead to 2024 with a bold vision inclusive of the island’s significant increase in international and regional airlift, a continued focus on sustainable tourism, and dedicated marketing efforts to put forward St. Kitts as a year-round destination.
Airlift and increased accessibility for travellers served as primary goals in 2023, and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority is proud to showcase the year's significant advancements both within the Caribbean region, bolstering local ties, as well as internationally. In November 2023, St. Kitts and JetBlue hosted an inaugural flight from New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport, which is now the first year-round direct flight from the New York Metro Area that offers flight service three times weekly. Airlift negotiations and contracts also resulted in successful agreements with interCaribbean Airways, Caribbean Airways, Air Canada, and United. As a result, additional routes, larger aircraft, and extended seasons now provide travellers with more opportunities than ever to access St. Kitts.
"2023 has been a pivotal year for the advancement of St. Kitts in the tourism sector," said Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, International Transport, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Employment, and Labour. "As we envision 2024, the projections for arrivals, the strength of on-island programming and activations, and the passion of local stakeholders to provide quality and memorable experiences for travellers both returning to the island or experiencing the Kittitian spirit for the first time, the continued growth is reflective of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority's grit and determination to showcase the unique characteristics of the island."
In 2024, St. Kitts remains at the forefront of the sustainable tourism movement. Woven into the very fabric of the island, sustainability transcends a mere trend; it is a deeply ingrained lifestyle embraced by the local population that goes beyond traditional ecological sustainability and bleeds into a dedication towards cultural preservation. St. Kitts' profound connection to its rich culture and history, deeply rooted in the natural spaces that define the island, underscores the commitment to safeguarding and nurturing these spaces, each of which tells a story pivotal to the island's identity.
"The St. Kitts Tourism Authority has made great strides in strengthening our brand pillars and working synergistically with local stakeholders to target primary markets across the globe to drive destination visibility and interest, thus evidenced by the demand for increased airlift," said Ellison "Tommy" Thompson, CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority. "Now, more than ever before, St. Kitts is open to a larger audience, which will promote cross-cultural exchange, boost the local economy, and allow for St. Kitts to continue work on sustainability and preservation, a core pillar of the island's ethos."
St. Kitts also celebrated many award wins and accolades throughout 2023, including Caribbean Journal's prestigious Tourism Minister of the Year award for Hon. Marsha T. Henderson and placement in Condé Nast Traveler's 2023 Hot List, Far & Wide's Reader's Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure's Readers Choice Awards, AFAR’s Where To Go 2024, World Travel Awards, and Amex Travel’s Top Destinations of 2024. In addition, St. Kitts earned three prestigious awards from the renowned Viddy Awards, recognizing the destination’s outstanding video marketing efforts in different categories, including:
The Art of Limin' – St. Kitts - Platinum Award,
Make Time For Love In St. Kitts – Platinum Award and
A Monument to Legacy – Brimstone Hill St. Kitts – Platinum Award.
The small and mighty island of St. Kitts emulates a strength and success that is not defined solely by arrival numbers, but by the quality of the experiences and economic value, the tourism industry provides. By offering high-value experiences that speak to traveller desires and demands, such as cultural enrichment, sustainable adventure, and intimate romance, St. Kitts invests in memorable experiences that create lasting memories tied directly to the essence of the island. In 2024, travellers will continue to see a continuation of growth and development of programs that showcase St. Kitts' character in impactful ways.
About St. Kitts
St. Kitts is the larger of two islands that make up the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Eighteen miles of green mountain ranges stretch from Mount Liamuiga in the north to the southern peninsula—each end, an entirely different and equally fulfilling experience. The island's serendipitous location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea gives its coast distinctively varied hues. Our beaches range from golden tones to salt-and-pepper and alluring black volcanic sand. Venture Deeper into the magic of St. Kitts and discover what the destination holds while simultaneously venturing introspectively into a journey of self-discovery. Peel back the many layers of our beautiful island to discover the culture, history, adventure, and culinary delights around every corner.
*If you are travelling to St. Kitts, it is required that you complete the online Immigration and Customs ED Form before arrival. Upon completion, you will receive a receipt with a QR code that you must present upon arrival in St. Kitts. Your QR code can be printed out or scanned directly from your phone. For more information about St. Kitts, visit visitstkitts.com.