Tourism Minister Max Fernandez received high praise during Tuesday's Throne Speech, with the government crediting his leadership for driving Antigua and Barbuda's tourism sector to record-breaking performance levels.
According to Antigua.news, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams announced that more than one million cruise passengers are expected to arrive during the current season, while overnight arrivals are projected to surpass 500,000 visitors this year.
The Throne Speech described Fernandez's stewardship as instrumental in broadening the country's tourism product and offerings. "He has presided over an expansion of the tourism product and offerings," the Governor General declared, congratulating Fernandez and his tourism team for elevating the sector "to a new level."
The government also highlighted a series of infrastructure upgrades connected to the industry's growth. These include runway repairs at VC Bird International Airport and the opening of a new runway and air terminal at Burton-Nibbs International Airport in Barbuda.
The continued expansion of tourism remains a cornerstone of the administration's wider economic agenda, which it has described as building an "economic powerhouse" and "lifestyle superpower" for Antigua and Barbuda.
