Tourism in Antigua and Barbuda continues to surge, with the twin-island destination on track for another record-breaking year as officials credit strong visitor demand, expanded airlift, and new luxury developments for the momentum.
During Tuesday’s Throne Speech on May 26, Governor General Sir Rodney Williams praised Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez for helping elevate the destination’s tourism industry to new heights. The government said more than one million cruise passengers are expected during the current season.
Back to 2024, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed about 824,000 cruise passengers. While 2025 saw over 900,000 cruise passengers across 466 cruise ship calls.
The administration described Fernandez’s leadership as key to expanding the country’s tourism product and strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s global appeal.
“He has presided over an expansion of the tourism product and offerings,” Sir Rodney said, congratulating Fernandez and the tourism team for taking the sector “to a new level.”
Tourism remains central to the government’s long-term strategy of positioning Antigua and Barbuda as both an “economic powerhouse” and “lifestyle superpower.”
The destination has already recorded its strongest first quarter on record. According to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), stay-over arrivals reached 110,832 visitors during the first three months of 2026, up seven percent compared with the same period in 2025.
ABTA CEO Colin James said March delivered the highest monthly total ever recorded for the destination, rising eight percent to 38,097 visitors. Authorities believe that overnight visitor arrivals will surpass 500,000 this year.
“The Caribbean, safe and secure”
Officials attributed the growth to expanded airline connectivity, rising European demand, strong cruise business, and targeted international marketing campaigns.
James also pointed to emerging opportunities from Latin America and the Middle East. Buyers from Dubai and the United Arab Emirates attended Caribbean Travel Marketplace for the first time this year, highlighting growing interest from new source markets.
“If you’re looking for an area of the world that’s safe and secure, it’s the Caribbean,” James said during the event.
Not all is rosy according to Tourism minister Fernandez. He warned that the regional tourism sector continues to face challenges from geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, inflationary pressures, climate change, labor shortages, and sargassum seaweed invasions.
“The price of oil is the culprit,” Fernandez said, noting that rising operating costs are increasing pressure on employers as tourism workers seek “a liveable wage, not a minimum wage.”
The government is also investing heavily in tourism infrastructure to support future growth. Projects underway include runway repairs at VC Bird International Airport and the opening of a new runway and terminal at Burton-Nibbs International Airport in Barbuda.
At the same time, Antigua and Barbuda’s hotel pipeline continues to expand, with several major luxury projects under development, including Nikki Beach, Marriott, Rosewood Barbuda, and One&Only resorts.
