Business
376 articles
YouTube Star IShowSpeed Calls Antigua 'Unreal' During CalvinAir Helicopter Tour
Global YouTube star IShowSpeed declared Antigua 'Unreal' during a CalvinAir helicopter tour of the island, with footage of his reaction drawing widespread attention online. The visit offers significant tourism exposure for Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda to Host Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 in May
Antigua and Barbuda will host the 44th edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace from May 12 to 15, 2026, with hundreds of international delegates, media outlets, and tourism industry leaders expected to attend. The event, organised by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, is the Caribbean's leading tourism trade forum.
Spirit Airlines Ceases All Operations After Second Bankruptcy, 17,000 Jobs at Risk
Spirit Airlines has permanently halted all flights following its second bankruptcy, stranding thousands of passengers and putting approximately 17,000 jobs at risk. As reported by Antigua.news, the carrier's abrupt closure marks one of the most significant airline failures in recent U.S. history.
Rotary Club of Antigua Donates XCD 2,500 to Women's Health Expo
The Rotary Club of Antigua has donated XCD 2,500 to Scrub Life Cares in support of the 5th Annual Grow With the Flo Women and Girls Health Expo, set for May 23, 2026, in Swetes Village. The funding will advance health education and services focused on menstrual equity and reproductive health for women and girls across Antigua and Barbuda.
ECAB to Permanently Close Woods Branch on June 1, 2026
The Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank Limited has announced the permanent closure of its Woods Branch (ECAB Legacy) effective June 1, 2026, with key transition deadlines set for May 29, 2026. The bank has outlined arrangements for night deposit, safe deposit box, and other services to ensure continued access for affected customers.
Caribbean Groups Can Apply for Grants to Fight Plastic Pollution
Organisations and small businesses in Antigua and Barbuda can now apply for grants of up to EUR 80,000 under the Sustainable Small Grants Programme, a regional initiative to combat plastic pollution through community-driven circular economy solutions. The application deadline is 31 May 2026.
Court Blocks Audit Bid in Butch Stewart Estate Battle, Executors File Appeal
A Jamaican Supreme Court has struck out an application by executors of the late Butch Stewart's estate seeking to conduct an audit before transferring ATL Group shares to his son Adam, as reported by Antigua News Room. The executors have since filed an appeal, keeping the high-profile succession dispute ongoing.
Adam Stewart Wins Court Battle Over Audit of Butch Stewart Estate Companies
Jamaica's Supreme Court has struck out a bid by executors of the late Butch Stewart's estate to conduct a red-flag audit of companies including Gorstew Limited, ruling they lacked legal standing under the Trusts Act. The decision marks a significant legal victory for Sandals Hotels boss Adam Stewart in a protracted family dispute over his father's estate.
Moringa Seeds Remove Up to 98.5% of Microplastics from Drinking Water, Study Finds
A new study by Brazilian and British scientists has found that extracts from moringa tree seeds can remove up to 98.5% of PVC microplastics from drinking water, performing comparably to commonly used chemical coagulants. Researchers say the natural, biodegradable method shows particular promise for small communities and areas with limited access to conventional water treatment chemicals.
ECLAC Projects 4% Economic Growth for Antigua and Barbuda in 2026
ECLAC projects Antigua and Barbuda's economy will grow by 4.0% in 2026, well above the regional average of 2.2%, following an estimated 5.0% expansion in 2025. The forecast underscores the twin-island nation's continued resilience despite mounting global economic pressures.
Latin America and Caribbean Economy Forecast to Grow 2.2% in 2026
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has revised its 2026 regional growth forecast slightly downward to 2.2%, citing geopolitical tensions, restrictive financial conditions, and rising global inflation. Growth is expected to decelerate in 24 of the region's 33 countries, extending a four-year pattern of persistently low economic expansion.
PM Browne Pressures Hotels on Wages, Threatens Audits Over Tax Manipulation
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has warned hotel operators to raise wages toward a "livable" standard and threatened forensic audits against those suspected of underreporting profits, singling out Sandals by name over alleged tax manipulation.
Taxi Industry President Credits Tourism Minister Fernandez for Sector's Sustained Growth
United Taxi Company President Ian Joseph has credited Tourism Minister Max Fernandez with driving the sustained growth of Antigua and Barbuda's taxi industry, citing expanded tourism, pandemic relief support, and an open-door relationship with the ministry.
Commentary: The Quiet Financial Decisions That Define Our Future
Financial commentator Garfield Joseph examines how the quiet, everyday decisions people make about money — particularly the choice to delay or avoid investing — can have profound consequences over a lifetime. Writing for Antigua News Room, he argues that investing is not a privilege of the wealthy but an act of personal responsibility accessible to anyone willing to start small and stay consistent.
APUA Clinches Second Place in Both Categories at Regional Linesworker Rodeo
An APUA team returned home Tuesday after finishing second in both the experienced and apprentice categories at the CARILEC Linesworker Rodeo in Dominica, marking a strong regional showing for the utility authority.
Antigua and Barbuda Bans Lobster and Parrotfish Harvesting to Safeguard Marine Stocks
Antigua and Barbuda's Fisheries Division has imposed closed seasons on Caribbean spiny lobster and parrotfish beginning May 1, with violators facing fines of up to EC$50,000. The bans aim to protect the species during spawning and ensure the long-term health of the country's marine stocks.
UAE Exits OPEC After Nearly 60 Years, Analysts Warn of Cartel's Decline
The United Arab Emirates has announced it is leaving OPEC and OPEC+ after nearly 60 years, a move analysts are calling a potential turning point for the global oil cartel. The departure strips OPEC of roughly 15% of its production capacity, raising questions about the group's long-term cohesion.
Oil Price Surge Threatens to Ground Caribbean Tourism Momentum
Escalating global oil prices, fuelled by tensions with Iran, threaten to drive up airfares and living costs across the Caribbean, putting Antigua and Barbuda's record-breaking tourism momentum at risk. According to Antigua.news, the country posted historic arrival figures in January 2026, but sustained fuel price increases could erode those gains by making travel to the island more expensive.
Ireland's Ambassador Touts Small-Business Tourism Model as Blueprint for Antigua
Ireland's Ambassador John Concannon has pointed to Ireland's decades-long model of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises as a potential lesson for Antigua and Barbuda's operators, with discussions already held at the highest levels of government.
Antigua Cruise Port Pours First Pool Foundation as Retail and Parking Works Advance
Construction at the Antigua Cruise Port has reached a new milestone, with the first concrete foundation for a planned Day Club pool poured and retail fit-outs advancing. An expanded parking facility linking Lower Church Street and Newgate Street is also set to begin shortly.