Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality sector convened for a pivotal strategic gathering as the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) hosted its 2026 Annual General Meeting at the prestigious Carlisle Bay Resort on January 27. The event assembled prominent industry figures and stakeholders to evaluate previous performance metrics and establish forward-looking development frameworks.
Keynote addresses from national tourism leadership provided comprehensive sector analysis. Colin C. James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, delivered an extensive overview of market dynamics, infrastructure investments, and destination expansion strategies. His presentation identified critical factors influencing visitor attraction patterns and competitive positioning within the Caribbean tourism market.
Transportation infrastructure received significant attention as Miguel Southwell, CEO of V. C. Bird International Airport, detailed forthcoming enhancements aimed at elevating airlift capacity and improving passenger processing efficiency at the nation’s primary aviation facility. Concurrently, the maritime tourism segment was addressed by Gasper P. George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, who outlined initiatives balancing visitor experience enhancement with environmentally sustainable growth practices.
ABHTA leadership presented comprehensive organizational reports during the proceedings. Chairman Craig Marshall enumerated the association’s substantial accomplishments throughout 2025 while establishing clear strategic priorities for the upcoming operational cycle. Executive Director Patrice Christian Simon supplemented this outlook with detailed operational reviews and implementation frameworks for the association’s future initiatives.
The collective vision emerging from the summit emphasizes strengthened partnership networks and collaborative engagement strategies. Industry leadership confirmed their commitment to advancing national tourism objectives through coordinated stakeholder action and innovative sector development approaches throughout 2026.