DUBAI – The Antigua and Barbuda government has announced plans to undertaking a multi-faceted overhaul of its tourism industry which it says is designed to create greater visitor experiences while providing more benefits to the local economy.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai“We are intentionally transforming our tourism product into a high-value offering with strong sectoral linkages. The objective is to expand domestic ownership and participation; deepen visitor spend, extend stays, and deliver distinctive, high-quality experiences,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne told the World Government Summit that ends here later on Friday.
Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders are attending the summit that has brought together delegations from more than 150 governments for three days of discussions on governance, economic resilience and global stability amid mounting geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change. It is being held under the theme “Shaping Future Governments”.
Prime Minister Browne said that his administration has been intentional in its commitment to carry out the necessary changes to the industry.
“We are working with various stakeholders to ensure that tourism is closely linked to construction, agriculture, creative industries, transportation, financial services, and small-business development.”
Browne told delegates that Antigua and Barbuda has attracted several globally recognised luxury hotel brands, generating quality employment while strengthening domestic supply chains, at the same time, the cruise tourism strategy supports urban renewal and redevelopment, thereby creating new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises within our communities.
“We have also attracted high-end culinary brands—such as Nobu, Le Petit Maison, The Hut, The Reef, Catherine’s, Celia’s, Sheer Rocks, and Rokuni—whose gastronomic excellence has differentiated Antigua and Barbuda’s food and beverage offerings”.
He said that a critical part of the government’s policy is to ensure that as much benefit as possible is accrued into local hands.
“The inclusion of local inputs and domestic participants including those involved in the creative arts, and other sectors including agriculture and manufacturing, will be essential in determining future success.
“In addition, future success will be analysed and determined through the development and ownership of Air B&B properties and hotel properties by locals; increased visitor spend, livable salaries and wages for employees in the sector, opportunities for entrepreneurship, foreign exchange earnings and equitable tax revenues for the government,” Browne added.
He said that these additional benefits for the country will not occur by osmosis and that it requires a national reset and transformation of the tourism sector which has already begun.
“We have purposefully attracted a significant amount of luxury tourism investment properties, as we seek to reposition Antigua and Barbuda as the premier luxury tourism destination in the Caribbean.”
Browne noted that even the existing all-inclusive properties, though with a lower yield than the ultra-luxury resort properties, are expected to increase their value offering, transforming themselves into all-inclusive luxury products.
