Basseterre, St. Kitts (17 May 2024) – The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) is thrilled to announce a wave of exciting developments that continue to position St. Kitts as a premier Caribbean destination. From captivating potential visitors at travel shows to securing strategic partnerships within the cruise industry, April 2024 was a month of significant progress.
Delegates representing the St. Kitts Tourism Authority recently attended the Dallas Travel and Adventure Show. Their presence ignited the interest of countless travel enthusiasts, planting the seed for unforgettable island adventures.
As the tourism industry in St. Kitts continues to thrive, the annual Nevis to St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim has officially kicked off this year’s Summer of Fun on April 6th, 2024. This open-water competition attracted just under 300 participants worldwide and added to the destination’s diverse tourism product, drawing people from across the globe to experience the challenge and excitement of conquering the 2.5-mile channel separating the twin island federation.
Setting sail towards a thriving cruise destination, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Marsha T. Henderson, led a delegation alongside tourism officials and stakeholders at the 2024 edition of Sea Trade Cruise Global. “This event provided an invaluable platform for us to engage with global players in the cruise industry, forging strategic partnerships that will ignite a surge in cruise tourism within our shores,” said Minister Henderson, as the team charted a course towards new opportunities for St. Kitts within the cruise industry.
Continuing its stride towards sustainability, St. Kitts has been recognized as the Green Destination of the Year, claiming victory at the 2024 Caribbean Green Awards. With almost 20,000 votes, the island’s commitment to eco-friendly initiatives and marine conservation has been applauded by the region and beyond, solidifying its reputation as a leader in responsible tourism.
Building on this success, a strong delegation from St. Kitts & Nevis made a lasting impression at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Development Conference in Grenada. “Our participation underscores our commitment to a thriving tourism industry that benefits both residents and the environment,” said Melnecia Marshall, Deputy CEO at the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, as the team engaged in discussions and workshops exploring the critical 5Ps of sustainable tourism.
Furthering to sustaining our tourism industry, the Ministry of Tourism is delighted to announce the participation of four esteemed schools in this year’s Tourism Youth Congress on July 1st, 2024. These schools include Washington Archibald High School, 
Basseterre High School, Cayon High School, and Saddlers High School. The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Kitts Nevis Anguilla National Bank, TDC Group of Companies Ltd, Harpers Office Depot, St. Kitts, Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort, and Park Hyatt St. Kitts, furthering their dedication to the next generation, have generously stepped forward as sponsors for this year’s congress.
During the Minister’s Press Conference, significant updates were revealed regarding the expansion of the airlift for summer and the upcoming winter season and the final wave of acts announced for the St. Kitts Music Festival. Airlift updates include Delta, operating weekly nonstop lift from Atlanta; United, operating weekly lift from Newark; Jetblue, operating three times weekly from JFK; British Airways, operating twice weekly from Gatwick; and via American Airlines, continuing with weekly flights from Charlotte and JFK, and daily service from Miami. However, AA will provide a double daily lift from Miami for the St. Kitts Music Festival period. In a bid to strengthen the airlift during the peak season, it’s announced that American Airlines will double its Miami flights daily from 5 December 2024 through 31 March 2025. Furthermore, the daily American Airlines Miami flight will now operate with a 187-seat A321 aircraft, adding 15 extra daily seats. These expansions by our airline partners complement existing services and signify significant growth opportunities for St. Kitts tourism.
The final wave of acts announced for the St. Kitts Music Festival includes 450, Freddie Jackson, Adam O, Pumpa, Nadia Batson, Kerwin Du Bois, Asa Bantan, Busy Signal, Kabaka Pyramid, Capleton, Masicka, Remone Watson, Nicholas Brancker Band, Tony Rebel, Briannagh D, Small Axe Band, Rick Ross, I-Tebulous, Eazi, Speedy, Tbone, KT Dan, Akaii U Sweet, Mical Teja, Hi-Light, Greenhouse Band featuring Mishka, Alkaline, Jaydo$, Third World, Tommy Lee, and Mr. Mention.
With a renewed focus on accessibility, sustainability, and fostering the next generation of tourism leaders, St. Kitts is poised for an exceptional year. Stay tuned for more exciting news as we continue to chart a course for success!