| | | | | and is one of the Caribbean’s most popular |
| Following the recent killing of the British honeymoon | | | | tourist islands. For the last two years Antigua has |
| couple on the Caribbean island of Antigua many are | | | | also won awards as best wedding and honeymoon |
| now questioning how safe these idyllic paradise-like | | | | destination because of its appeal to couples looking |
| islands are for the millions of visitors who choose to | | | | for an exotic and beautiful destination for their |
| holiday there each year. With many newspapers | | | | wedding or honeymoon. |
| reporting on this horrific event it is no surprise that | | | | |
| many subsequent articles have chosen not only to | | | | It is also a much cheaper holiday destination now due |
| concentrate on the facts surrounding the case, but | | | | to the strength of the pound against the US dollar in |
| also to focus on the “perceived problem” of | | | | comparison to the Euro. Many hotels and resorts also |
| crime permeating not just Antigua but other islands | | | | offer free weddings for couples staying for a |
| throughout the Caribbean. But is this popular region of | | | | specified minimum duration or for couples who wish |
| the world really as unsafe as recent media reports | | | | to book additional rooms for their guests. One of the |
| have indicated? | | | | best destination for Caribbean holiday is The Inn at |
| | | | | English Harbour |
| The simple answer is “no”. Of course the | | | | |
| Caribbean is not a crime free destination. Like | | | | Getting married on the island of Antigua could not be |
| anywhere else in the world all the islands of the | | | | easier. Couples are able to get married on the same |
| Caribbean experience varying degrees of mainly | | | | day they arrive on the island if they wish once they |
| petty crime, such as theft. Whilst some of the larger | | | | purchase a local licence from the correct Government |
| islands such as Jamaica and Trinidad might also | | | | office. All weddings conducted at local hotels, resorts |
| experience more serious and violent crime such as | | | | or other not religious venues such as on one of the |
| rape or murder, these crimes are nearly always | | | | island’s 365 beautiful beaches, are civil |
| perpetrated by locals against locals and hardly ever | | | | ceremonies conducted by a marriage officer. Couples |
| visitors, and these crimes are still relatively rare in | | | | can also get married in one of the island’s many |
| comparison to many of the countries where tourists | | | | churches. Weddings conducted on Antigua, as well as |
| to these islands actually come from. This is why the | | | | all the other islands of the Caribbean are legally |
| recent murder of the honeymoon couple in Antigua | | | | recognised in the UK. |
| made such major headlines, as it really was a rare | | | | |
| and isolated incident. In fact the last tourist homicide | | | | Couples who had previously considered or even |
| on Antigua took place over ten years ago. | | | | planned to visit the Caribbean and particularly the |
| | | | | island of Antigua for an annual holiday or for their |
| Nearly 97,000 tourists from the UK alone visited the | | | | wedding or honeymoon should not be put off by |
| island of Antigua in 2007 and most of these visitors | | | | recent events. Compared to many destinations in |
| will no doubt confirm that during their stay they | | | | Europe, the Mediterranean and other parts of the |
| experienced nothing but a warm climate, beautiful | | | | world which are popular holiday spots for the Brits, |
| beaches and friendly hospitality from the majority of | | | | the Caribbean is still a much safer destination. Jolly |
| local people. The island has so much to offer visitors | | | | Beach Resort is example of hotels which offer this. |