Antigua Ministry of Tourism

7 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 The first phase, worth $80 million, will build a small hotel with 50 rooms, the second phase, worth $30 million, will construct ten luxury residences, and the third phase will invest $100 million in developing another fifty residences. In Antigua, the Sunwing Group is refurbishing the old Halcyon Hotel. We also expect a Royalton Chic Hotel, a very high-end development worth $60 million in phase one, and another $20 million in investments in phase two to construct 227 rooms. Other property investments in the works include a Marriott property slated to kick off by the fourth quarter, Nikki Beach, which will be a part of the Jolly Beach property, and several other hotel brands, all with plans to develop high-end properties in Antigua. On the cruise side, we have partnered with Global Ports Holding (GPH), the world’s largest cruise port operator with an established presence in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia- Pacific regions, to handle the cruise side of the tourism business in Antigua and Barbuda. We have just completed a fifth pier and hope to have the ships coming in by the end of the year. GPH is part of the port management agreement and is investing $35 million to build additional stores, stores, kiosks, restaurants, and a casino. Heritage Quay, a duty-free area, is also getting a $3 million facelift. Based on all these investments, we are elated about the future of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism industry. Business View Magazine: Besides coordinating these projects, could you describe precisely what role the ministry plays in keeping tourism flourishing on the island? Minister Fernanadez: The Ministry of Tourism is a facilitator and partner in the country’s tourism-related initiatives. For example, we have recently added taxi operators as our core partners because we recognize that they are