Figures recently released by the government’s statistics department showed solid growth in the Montserrat’s tourism arrivals for the first half of 2010. From January to July, total arrivals grew by roughly 22 percent.
"The return of ferry services from Antigua in December 2009, low volcanic activity from March 2010 and strong marketing efforts all help account for the increase in visitor numbers," said director of tourism for the Montserrat Tourism Board, Ernestine Cassell, in a written release.
A total of 4,863 visitors traveled to Montserrat for the first seven months of 2010, an overall increase of 866 visitors or 21.7 percent when compared to the same period in 2009. This comprised of 3,141 stay-over or overnight visitors, 1,029 day-trippers and 693 cruise passengers.
In addition, there was a 3 percent growth in the number of visitors staying in paid tourist accommodations, and an 11-percent increase in leisure travelers. Arrivals from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Canada and Continental Europe also showed growth of 6.6 percent, 9.1 percent and 21.4 percent respectively.
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