The twin-island nation of Antigua & Barbuda has always been a leader in the tourism industry, being one of the first nations within the Caribbean to make Tourism a key economic pillar. Tourism in Antigua & Barbuda was born in the 1960’s, and the country boasts a mature tourism and hospitality product. Tourism accounts for approximately 80% of the islands’ gross domestic product (GDP), and has recently been coupled with the islands’ foreign direct investment and Citizenship by Investment programmes, to encourage increased investment, as well as visitor arrivals to the destination.
Antigua & Barbuda’s topography offers a spectacular coastline, making it world-renowned for its sailing and yachting. These beautiful twin isles which are enveloped by their acclaimed 365 white & pink sand beaches are dotted with luxurious resort locations that are rated among some of the best in the world. Antigua and Barbuda is known for its upscale properties and first-class hotels, with the most renowned being, Jumby Bay – A Rosewood Resort, Carlisle Bay, and Curtain Bluff. While other notable hotels and villas include: Hermitage Bay, Blue Waters Resort, The Inn at English Harbour, Admiral’s Inn, Nonsuch Bay
& Villas, Daniel Bay Development, Tamarind Hills, Pearns Point, Rendezvous Bay, and Galley Bay Heights Villas.
Luxury Restaurants and Bars include: From the romantic setting of the award-winning Sheer Rocks, to the hilltop vistas of Sugar Ridge’s Carmichael’s, or the eclectic waterfront setting of the Pillars restaurant at the Admiral’s Inn, located in historic Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua’s restaurants have some of the finest cuisine ranging from West Indian zest to International fare, and offering a wide variety from which to choose. In addition to what’s already there, a range of new modern developments are also planned for the country.
These include:
PEARNS POINT
A US$300 million investment which broke ground in 2014. It will include 70 resort condominiums, 70 exclusive residential villas and a 5 star hotel.
YIDA DEVELOPMENT
SINGULARI: Yida International Investment Group will invest approximately US$2 billion in a mega-resort development on Antigua to be known as Singulari, on 900 acres on the island’s northeast coast and 700 acres of islands. Construction is set to begin shortly. The project will transform the 455-acre Guiana Island (just south of Jumby Bay Resort on Long Island in the North Sound) and surrounding islands and lands with the construction of several five-star hotels, 1,300 residential units, a hospital, a conference centre, two signature golf courses, an entertainment district, a horse-racing track, plus a marina and commercial, retail and sports outlets. Facilities also will include a Hard Rock Casino & Resort, which is being billed as the Caribbean’s largest.
ROBERT DE NIRO’S ‘PARADISE FOUND’ IN BARBUDA
Actor Robert De Niro signed a Memorandum of Agreement in November 2014 for a US$250 million hotel investment in Barbuda. De Niro and Australian businessman James Packer will help renovate and expand a former five-star luxury resort that closed several years ago.
BARBUDA BELLE
The destination’s newest hotel is a US$2 million eco-friendly investment, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy eco-luxury on one of the greenest islands in the Caribbean. The seven-unit facility will be expanded to 15 in the next three years.
SANDALS BEACHES RESORT
Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, announced in December 2013, the building of a brand new Beaches Resort in Long Bay. Beaches Antigua, will boast 1-4 bedroom rooms and suites, up to 12 restaurants, conferencing facilities and a wide range of exhilarating and unique features that include a water-park, cinema, Xbox Play Lounge and BMX track. The new US$150 million Beaches Resort by Sandals Resorts International at Long Bay will provide up to 400 rooms.
THE SUNNY HILL GROUP
has announced a US$200 million investment project in Antigua and Barbuda. The 400-unit project will be located on a 100- acre site in the Falmouth and Bethesda areas of Antigua. Sunny Hill Group is a new company founded by Caribbean Trust Immigration Services, a promoter of the country’s Citizenship by
Investment Programme based in Dubai, in a joint venture with Canada-based Stuart Investment Management.
THE REPLAY GROUP out of Canada has confirmed plans to take over the defunct Half Moon Bay Hotel.
THE CALLALO BAY PROJECT
A Memorandum Of Agreement was signed in July 2014 with Sheik Tariq Faisal Alqassemi of Dubai, for a 5 star luxury hotel project valued at US $120 million This project will include a Public National Park for residents.
SUN WING GROUP
The Government has signed an agreement with US $400 million the Sun Wing Group Sun wing Group out of Canada to build an additional five-star hotel on adjacent property to the Royal Antiguan. The project will see the construction of a “Royalton” hotel complex with 500 rooms, multiple restaurants, a casino,
disco, full service spa, tennis courts and theatres. It will also include the US$50million construction of 200 mixed-use condominiums.
Antigua & Barbuda is also a Celebrity Hotspot
Antigua and Barbuda is the playground of the rich and famous, attracting celebrities including Cameron Diaz, Nicole Scherzinger, Giorgio Armani, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Robert De Niro, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Charlotte Church, Piers Morgan, Duran Duran, and Sir Ben Ainslie.
Shopping
Well-recognised luxury brands can be found in Antigua’s well-known Heritage Quay Duty Free District, while Redcliffe Quay is favoured for its historic charm, al fresco cafes, and independent designers, with unique boutiques specializing in one-of-a kind items. New developments are also planned for Heritage Quay, enhancing the shopping experience for visitors to Antigua.
Luxury Activities
Sailing: The islands’ Flagship event is the well-established Antigua Sailing Week, but there are many other events including: the Round the Island Race and Super Yacht Cup Antigua, a Valentine’s Day Regatta and the RORC CARIBBEAN 600 YACHT RACE, International Laser Open and the Antigua Classic Yacht
Regatta. For more information visit: www.abma.ag
Yachting and Yacht Charters
Antigua and Barbuda is the mecca of Caribbean yachting. We boast the best sailing conditions and the finest first class landslide yachting facilities in the region. From refitting and refurbishing to provisioning, expert services with world-renowned reputations are available here.
Other Activities:
Deep Sea Fishing; Helicopter Tours; Golfing; Diving; Art Galleries, Rainforest Canopy Tours.
Cruising
Antigua and Barbuda currently caters to small luxury cruise ships to include Black Watch, Windstar, Wind Surf, and Club Med.
Bizjet-to-Yacht Services
Companies are able to provide upscale services, signalling Antigua and Barbuda’s preparedness to cater to and attract the luxury traveller. Signature Antigua (ANU) offers customers an executive terminal, lounge, offices and two private jet hangars.
Experience Antigua and Barbuda’s Calendar of Events:
January: Superyacht Challenge Antigua, www.abma.ag
February: Jolly Harbour Valentine’s Regatta, www.abma.ag
February: RORC Caribbean 600 Start, www.abma.ag
April: Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, www.antiguaclassics.com
April: Antigua Sailing Week, www.sailingweek.com
May: Antigua Tennis Week at Curtain Bluff,
www.curtainbluff.com
May: Barbuda Caribana, www.visitantiguabarbuda.com
May: Antigua and Barbuda Marlin Classic,
and Sport Fishing Tournament, www.abma.ag
July-August: Antigua’s Carnival (60th Anniversary Celebrations,
2016), www.antiguacarnival.com
September: Francis Nunes Jr. Fishing Tournament, www.abma.ag
November: Independence Day & Celebrations,
www.visitantiguabarbuda.com
November: Nonsuch Bay WineStock,
www.nonsuchbayresort.com
December: Antigua Charter Yacht Show,
www.antiguayachtshow.com
