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Fernandez Claims Record 800,000+ Cruise Passengers as Tourism Rebounds
Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez announced that Antigua and Barbuda has surpassed 800,000 cruise passenger arrivals this season, calling it evidence of a strong post-pandemic recovery. The figures were revealed at the ABLP manifesto launch ahead of the April 30 general election.
Antigua and Barbuda Secures Major Cruise Growth at Seatrade Global Conference
Antigua and Barbuda has secured major increases in cruise calls from partners including MSC Group and Royal Caribbean following high-level meetings at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 in Miami. The country is projecting over one million cruise passengers and more than 400 port calls in the upcoming season.
PM Browne Defends CIP, Cites EC$1.4 Billion in Revenue Over 11 Years
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has defended Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Programme, revealing it has generated over EC$1.4 billion in non-tax revenue in 11 years. Speaking at the ABLP's 2026 manifesto launch, Browne challenged critics to identify alternative revenue sources and pledged to strengthen, not dismantle, the programme.
Fernandez: $1.5 Billion in Tourism Investments Planned for Antigua and Barbuda
Tourism Minister Charles "Max" Fernandez has announced a pipeline of more than US$1.5 billion in tourism-related investments expected to enter Antigua and Barbuda over the next two to three years. The projects span major hotel, residential, and infrastructure developments and are projected to generate significant construction and long-term employment.
CIBC Caribbean Doubles Top Prize in Second Year of Unsung Heroes Programme
CIBC Caribbean has launched the second year of its Unsung Heroes programme, doubling the top regional prize to US$10,000 as it searches across 10 Caribbean territories for individuals making quiet but meaningful contributions to their communities. Nominations are open through the end of July.
High Court Rules Against Soca Star Patrice Roberts in Management Dispute
A Trinidad High Court has ordered Soca star Patrice Roberts to pay a net sum of US$25,104.12 to her former management company following a dispute rooted in an informal verbal agreement. The ruling serves as a stark reminder for Caribbean entertainers, including those in Antigua and Barbuda, of the risks of operating without written contracts.
Antigua Secures Up to €5M European Investment for Beverage Plant, 150 Jobs Projected
Antigua and Barbuda's Cabinet has approved a concessions package to support a European-backed beverage production facility valued between €3.5 million and €5 million, with roughly 150 direct jobs expected upon completion.
Antigua in Talks to Become Regional Trade Hub as Port Expansion Plans Take Shape
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced negotiations with a Japanese car dealership to use Antigua and Barbuda as a vehicle transshipment point, as part of a multi-phase plan to expand the St. John's port into a regional trade hub. The broader development includes new marinas, LNG storage, bunkering facilities, and a separate shipping hub agreement, with Browne projecting the port could contribute up to 10% of GDP.
PM Browne Pledges to Expand Entrepreneurial Development Fund After Elections
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has admitted the Entrepreneurial Development Fund faces a high loan delinquency rate but vowed to expand the programme after the upcoming general election. The fund, currently valued at an estimated $4 million to $5 million, offers low-interest loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Pigs Paradise Owner Thanks Public After Mosquito Bay Access Restored
Pigs Paradise owner Chantelle Winter has publicly thanked the public and authorities for restoring access to Mosquito Bay, as she continues to push for guaranteed long-term access through a community petition targeting property developers.
UPP's Pringle Vows to Ban Ministers from Competing with Private Business
UPP Leader Jamale Pringle has pledged to ban cabinet ministers from competing with private businesses and to eliminate politically motivated barriers to enterprise, as part of a broader economic reform platform ahead of the April 30 general election.
Rotary Club's 'Colours' Returns for 17th Year with Smurf Village Theme
The Rotary Club of Antigua will host the 17th edition of its flagship fundraising event, Colours, on July 4, 2026, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground under the theme "Welcome to Smurf Village." Proceeds will support community programmes including Meals on Wheels, youth development, and health outreach.
Airfare Surge Drives Antigua's Transport Costs Up 47.6% in One Year
Transport costs in Antigua and Barbuda surged 47.6 percent over the past year, driven largely by rising regional and international airfare prices, making transport the single largest contributor to overall inflation. New data from the Statistics Division show overall inflation stood at 1.7 percent for the 12-month period ending March.
Port of Bermuda Manager Praises Antigua's Operations After Regional Training Exchange
The Antigua Port Authority hosted the newly appointed Dock Operations Manager for the Port of Bermuda in a week-long training exchange under the PMAC regional cooperation framework. The visiting official praised Antigua's infrastructure and operations as a model for Bermuda's own port upgrade programme.
Rotary Club of Antigua Sets 17th Colours Fundraiser for July 2026
The Rotary Club of Antigua has announced its 17th annual Colours fundraiser, themed 'Welcome to Smurf Village,' set for 4th July 2026 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. Proceeds will support community programmes including Meals on Wheels, youth development, and health outreach across Antigua and Barbuda.
IMF Warns Caribbean Tourism Economies Face Hardest Hit from Middle East Conflict
The IMF has identified tourism-dependent Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, as the hemisphere's most economically vulnerable group amid the Middle East conflict, citing high debt, limited fiscal space, and heavy reliance on energy imports. The fund has revised the subgroup's 2026 GDP growth down to just 0.9 percent and is urging governments to avoid broad energy subsidies in favour of targeted support.
WIOC and PDV Caribe Unite to Fund Health Expo and Steel Orchestra
WIOC and PDV Caribe have jointly donated funding and supplies to the Scrub Life Care Project and the Original Steel Orchestra, supporting an upcoming health expo and ongoing youth cultural development in Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua's Inflation Reaches 1.7% in March as Food Prices Continue to Drop
Antigua and Barbuda's overall inflation reached 1.7% in March 2026 on a year-on-year basis, even as food prices fell 1.8%, with surging airfare costs and rising rents among the key drivers of broader price increases.
Antigua and Barbuda to Host Caribbean Travel Marketplace 44 Amid Culinary Month Celebrations
Antigua and Barbuda will host the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's Caribbean Travel Marketplace 44 from May 12–15, 2026, timed to coincide with the destination's annual Culinary Month. Delegates will enjoy exclusive dining experiences across the island, including Restaurant Week, Eat Like A Local, and a Culinary Crawl.
Air Peace to Launch Twice-Monthly Antigua-Barbados-Lagos Flights from May 2026
Nigeria's Air Peace will begin twice-monthly scheduled flights connecting Antigua and Barbados to Lagos from May 25, 2026, as reported by Antigua.news. The new service marks a further expansion of the airline's Caribbean footprint, which already includes a 70% stake in regional carrier LIAT 2020.