A new chapter of tourism-focused growth has opened for Antigua and Barbuda, following an official groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Bay Zen Resort along the island nation’s eastern Antigua coastline. The milestone marks one of the most substantial private investments aligned with the country’s landmark Vision 2030 national development and tourism transformation agenda, bringing a fresh focus on sustainable luxury and wellness travel to the Caribbean destination.
Valued at an estimated $200 million, the luxury development is positioned to reshape the local tourism landscape by elevating the country’s offerings in experiential and wellness travel, while delivering tangible long-term benefits including expanded sustainable economic output, new local job opportunities, and a more diverse national tourism portfolio that goes beyond traditional beach vacation offerings.
Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Charles Fernandez, the country’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, framed the project as a game-changing investment that perfectly matches the shifting goals of Antigua and Barbuda’s evolving tourism strategy. “This project represents a new direction for tourism in Antigua and Barbuda,” Fernandez shared at the ceremony. “Long Bay Zen Resort embodies the evolving demands of the modern traveler — one who seeks more than just accommodation, but experience, wellness, authenticity, tranquility and connection.”
Fernandez emphasized the project comes at a critical juncture for Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector, which is currently in a period of rapid expansion focused on growing international air access and upgrading core tourism infrastructure. “As our airport expansion continues and as we aggressively pursue increased airlift and new international routes into Antigua and Barbuda, the demand for quality room stock continues to grow,” Fernandez explained. “Developments such as this position us strongly for the future.”
The minister added that the resort directly advances the government’s broader Tourism Vision 2030 framework, which is built around five core pillars: sustainability, innovation, high-value luxury development, local community engagement, and long-term national economic resilience. “This project forms part of our broader Tourism Vision 2030, a vision focused on sustainability, innovation, luxury development, community involvement and long-term economic resilience,” he said.
Sophie Zhong, lead developer for the project, echoed the government’s vision, noting that the resort was specifically designed to answer the call for a smarter, more climate-resilient and sustainable future for Antigua and Barbuda laid out by Prime Minister Browne’s administration. “Antigua and Barbuda is already a champion of sustainable tourism. Prime Minister Browne has taken that further. He has set a bold vision for a Smart Island future — where renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and climate resilience shape how this nation welcomes the world. Long Bay Zen Resort is our answer to that call,” Zhong stated.
Planned around the popular contemporary “quiet luxury” design philosophy, the resort will feature 113 high-end accommodations that prioritize understated elegance, guest wellness, and seamless integration with the unspoiled natural coastal landscape of Long Bay. “With rising visitor numbers and record air connectivity, demand for the very best Antigua has to offer has never been stronger. We are responding with 113 luxury keys, built in the spirit of quiet luxury — understated, refined, and deeply connected to this landscape,” Zhong said.
One of the resort’s most unique signature amenities will be an overwater chapel, a feature developed to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s standing as a top global destination for luxury weddings. “I believe it will further cement Antigua’s reputation as the Caribbean’s premier destination wedding location,” she added.
Aligning with the national sustainability and smart island goals, the development will integrate a full suite of green and smart technology features, including on-site renewable energy generation, low-carbon building and operational systems, AI-powered personalized guest services, and automated low-emission transportation for guests across the resort property. “At the heart of this resort is our commitment to sustainability. We rely heavily on green energy, with low-carbon operations designed to leave the lightest possible footprint on this protected coastline,” Zhong explained.
Preparatory work is already well underway: demolition of existing structures on the site has been completed, with full-scale main construction set to kick off in the fourth quarter of this year. Developers have indicated they expect to move through the construction phase at an accelerated pace to meet projected opening timelines.