Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that construction is actively progressing at Willoughby Bay, where a CIP-linked investor is developing a high-end residential tourism project on Antigua's southeast coast.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne provided the update during his weekly radio programme on Saturday, describing the development as a significant investment for the country. The investor, he said, was introduced to the site several years ago and has since advanced plans for the property.
"This is a new residential-type development that has been pursued by one of our CIP citizens," Browne said on the programme.
The Willoughby Bay project forms part of a broader wave of luxury tourism and residential developments being pursued across Antigua and Barbuda as the government works to expand its tourism offerings and attract foreign direct investment.
Browne used the occasion to push back against critics of new tourism projects, arguing that the country must continue generating investment opportunities to remain competitive internationally. He noted that demand for high-end tourism products is growing and said developments such as the one at Willoughby Bay are essential to broadening the country's economic base.
The prime minister also stressed that environmental considerations remain central to the approval process for major projects, and that government policy is focused on balancing economic growth with environmental protection and public access to coastal areas.
The Willoughby Bay update came during a wider discussion on tourism investment, which also touched on Sandals' planned expansion and the proposed addition of overwater bungalows at Dickenson Bay.
Although specific details regarding the final scope and build-out of the Willoughby Bay development were not extensively covered during the programme, Browne confirmed that work is moving ahead. The project is located in one of the island's most scenic coastal areas and is expected to generate employment, sustain construction activity, and contribute to visitor spending once completed.
Government officials have consistently pointed to tourism-related construction as a major driver of economic activity and a cornerstone of the country's growth strategy. Browne reiterated that Antigua and Barbuda must continue attracting international investors while expanding the range of accommodation and residential options available to visitors and property owners.
Further details on the project's timeline and scope are expected as construction advances.
