ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A significant dialogue is set to unfold between Antigua and Barbuda’s political leadership and tourism industry representatives following Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s invitation to address longstanding structural imbalances in the sector. Prominent tourism stakeholder Eli Fuller has accepted the Prime Minister’s offer for a Saturday discussion on Point FM, signaling a potential turning point for local entrepreneurship in the islands’ dominant economic industry.
The forthcoming conversation, initiated through Browne’s public invitation this week, aims to develop concrete strategies for expanding domestic ownership and more effectively incorporating the nation’s cultural heritage into its tourism offerings. Fuller responded with enthusiastic acceptance, expressing hope that the dialogue would finally address systemic challenges that have persistently disadvantaged local investors.
In his detailed online response, Fuller highlighted the paradoxical reality that foreign investors frequently encounter fewer barriers to tourism sector entry than native Antiguans and Barbudans. “Local people face competitive disadvantages across multiple tourism sectors,” Fuller asserted, emphasizing that current frameworks inadvertently favor external capital over domestic entrepreneurship.
This acknowledgment from the highest levels of government comes after years of advocacy from industry professionals. Fuller revealed he had raised identical concerns during a tourism conference with former opposition leader Harold Lovell several years prior, indicating the persistent nature of these structural issues.
While welcoming the Prime Minister’s engagement as a positive development, Fuller maintained a cautiously optimistic stance, stressing that dialogue must translate into actionable policies. “I’m encouraged that Gaston Browne is articulating the right priorities,” Fuller noted, “but previous ministers have made similar commitments without delivering substantive change. What we require now is implementation, not just discussion.”
The Saturday forum represents a critical opportunity to rebalance Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism economy, potentially creating more equitable conditions for local business owners while preserving the islands’ unique cultural identity within their primary industry.