Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the government intends to develop the proposed Yepton Beach hotel as a public-private partnership, giving Antiguans and Barbudans the opportunity to own a share of the tourism project rather than ceding full ownership to foreign investors.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne outlined the revised approach during his weekly Pointe FM programme on Saturday, describing it as part of the administration's broader effort to increase local participation in the country's tourism industry.
Rather than selling the land outright to a private developer, Browne said the government plans to retain an equity interest in the Yepton Beach project. Under the proposed structure, institutions such as the Social Security Scheme and other domestic investors would participate alongside the private developer, creating a direct pathway for citizens to own shares in the resort.
"We're looking at a public-private partnership," Browne said, explaining that the government wants the country to benefit not only from construction activity and employment, but also from the long-term profits the hotel generates.
"We want our people to have ownership," he added, reaffirming that broadening local investment in the tourism sector remains a central government objective.
Browne said the model marks a departure from the traditional arrangement in which foreign investors own and operate tourism properties while local involvement is largely confined to employment. Retaining an equity stake, he argued, would also allow the government to benefit from future appreciation in the property's value and provide a continuing revenue stream beyond a one-time land sale.
The prime minister said the administration believes the strategy will generate greater national wealth by enabling citizens to participate directly in profitable tourism ventures, while still attracting foreign investment and international hotel brands.
