On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Antigua and Barbuda St. John’s Taxi Association Inc. (ABSJTA) organized a large-scale volunteer clean-up and beautification campaign spanning Big Ffryes Beach, Little Ffryes Beach, and their adjacent coastal zones. The event was specifically timed to get the island nation’s iconic shorelines ready for the 2026/2027 cruise tourism season, bringing together association members and community volunteers to upgrade the coastal environment for both local residents and the thousands of incoming tourists expected over the coming months.
By the end of the day, participants had filled 40 full-size 48-gallon biodegradable garbage bags with a wide range of discarded waste, including single-use plastic bottles, aluminum cans, paper products, and assorted plastic debris. Beyond small litter, crews also cleared accumulated fallen leaves and oversized natural and man-made debris from the beach sands and surrounding green spaces, leaving the shoreline far cleaner and more welcoming than before the initiative began.
For the ABSJTA, the clean-up effort is far more than a one-off community project: it reflects the association’s deep understanding that Antigua and Barbuda’s postcard-perfect beaches are not only beloved public gathering spaces for local communities, but also the core attraction that draws millions of tourists to the nation each year. Maintaining these natural assets directly supports public recreation and quality of life for residents, while also boosting the overall visitor experience that underpins the livelihoods of thousands of people employed across the country’s tourism sector.
Association leadership went on to express sincere gratitude to every member, volunteer, and community partner that contributed to the event’s success. In addition to on-the-ground labor from participants, the initiative benefited from donated supplies and refreshments, as well as the free provision of a dump truck to haul away collected waste for proper disposal, resources that were critical to pulling off the large-scale operation smoothly.
Following productive conversations between ABSJTA representatives and local business leadership, the management of Dennis Beach Bar has already pledged long-term support for future clean-up events. The popular beachside business has committed to donating rakes and other essential clean-up equipment to volunteer crews, a contribution that will allow future clean-up teams to work more efficiently while supporting safe, hygienic handling and disposal of collected waste.
Looking ahead, the ABSJTA has made a formal commitment to host these coastal clean-up and beautification exercises twice every year: one round held before the official start of the annual cruise season, and a second round held once the season draws to a close. The association is also actively calling on other local tourism businesses and service providers to join coordinated, sector-wide preservation initiatives to protect the nation’s natural assets.
“Through sustained, collaborative action across the entire tourism sector, we can protect our incredible beaches, enhance the beauty of our coastal areas, and keep Antigua and Barbuda one of the most attractive and sought-after tourism destinations in the Caribbean,” said ABSJTA’s President in a statement following the event.