Tourism Minister Charles "Max" Fernandez has announced that more than US$1.5 billion in tourism-related investments are expected to flow into Antigua and Barbuda over the next two to three years. According to Antigua News Room, Fernandez made the declaration at the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) manifesto launch held at the American University of Antigua Conference Centre.
Fernandez, who also serves as the ABLP candidate for St. John's Rural North, described the scale of the planned developments as "unprecedented," directly linking the investment pipeline to job creation and broader economic growth.
"Together, these represent approximately 1.5 billion US dollars in investment over the next 24 to 36 months," Fernandez said, outlining a series of major hotel, residential, and infrastructure projects.
Among the highlighted developments are the US$465 million Half Moon Bay project, the US$400 million Nikki Beach Residences, and the US$40 million Buccaneer Beach development. Fernandez also cited more than US$70 million already committed by Nobu, along with plans for a new Marriott hotel at Yepton Beach and the ongoing renovation of the Jolly Beach Resort.
Further investments include a US$55 million upgrade to VC Bird International Airport, a US$40 million waterfront development, and a US$23 million brewery project.
The minister said the investment surge reflects international confidence in Antigua and Barbuda's tourism product and economic trajectory. "This did not happen by chance. It is the result of deliberate leadership, strategic investment and a clear forward-looking vision," he said.
Fernandez also highlighted additional projects coming on stream, including the Eddie Caren Long Bay development, which is expected to break ground next month, and the La Mer Estate residential project in Willoughby Bay, where construction has already begun on several units.
He said the developments will generate both short-term construction employment and long-term job opportunities while broadening the country's tourism offerings. "This is what the Renaissance means in practice — more construction jobs, more permanent employment, more opportunities for local businesses, and a wider base of earnings and enterprise across our economy," Fernandez said.
Tourism remains the central pillar of Antigua and Barbuda's economy. Fernandez said the government intends to build on recent gains, including a strong post-pandemic recovery and rising visitor arrivals. "We are not managing decline. We are building expansion. We are not reacting to change — we are shaping it," he said.
The minister also stressed that the government's focus extends beyond growing visitor numbers to ensuring that tourism's benefits are broadly distributed. "We are ensuring that the gains from tourism are not concentrated in a few places, but are shared across communities throughout this country," Fernandez said.
