At the 21st Regional Tourism Youth Congress held on Thursday, Antigua and Barbuda’s Junior Minister of Tourism, Kiara Kwenga, delivered a compelling call to action, urging her regional counterparts to prioritize sustainability, technology, and social inclusion as the future pillars of Caribbean tourism. Kwenga emphasized that the traditional reliance on ‘sun, sea, and sand’ is no longer sufficient to maintain the region’s competitive edge in the global tourism market. She highlighted Antigua and Barbuda’s proactive environmental initiatives, including the ban on single-use plastics, coral reef restoration projects, and the establishment of the Barbuda Blue Halo marine reserve, as examples of leadership in sustainable tourism. On the technological front, Kwenga showcased innovative solutions such as virtual reality previews for travel agents, paperless digital immigration systems, and augmented reality storytelling at historical sites like Nelson’s Dockyard. She also revealed plans to develop AI-powered multilingual apps to serve as ‘digital ambassadors’ for visitors. Kwenga further underscored the importance of community-based tourism and economic inclusion, citing initiatives like Culinary Month in May, which promotes local cuisine while extending the tourism season and supporting local farmers, chefs, and restaurants. Microfinancing and training programs were also highlighted as key strategies to ensure tourism revenues benefit local communities. ‘What we are crafting in Antigua and Barbuda is not merely a tourism product. It is a vision — where innovation meets tradition, where paradise is protected, and where every citizen shares in the promise of progress,’ Kwenga stated. The Congress also featured presentations from young delegates, including 16-year-old Jolé St. John of Tobago, the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2025 Regional Junior Tourism Minister, who spoke on leveraging heritage tourism for development. Other participants included Junior Ministers from Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, among others. The Youth Congress, a flagship initiative of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, aims to cultivate critical thinking, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the tourism sector among young leaders aged 14 to 17, offering a glimpse into the future of the industry.
Antigua’s Youth Tourism Minister Calls for Sustainability, Technology, and Inclusion
