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Antigua and Barbuda is poised to experience its most robust tourism season in history, with projections of 450,000 stayover visitors and nearly one million cruise passengers anticipated for the 2025–2026 period. This optimistic forecast was unveiled by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams during the Throne Speech on Thursday. The surge in tourism is attributed to significant investments in luxury resorts and the ongoing diversification of the nation’s tourism offerings. Sir Rodney emphasized that the projected increase in arrivals underscores the country’s strategic focus on high-end development while retaining its appeal to a broader audience. Major projects currently underway include the construction of a Rosewood Hotel on Barbuda’s southern coast, a Nobu Resort adjacent to the existing restaurant, and the expansion of the PLH development, which now boasts 350 rooms. Additionally, boutique projects led by Barbudan entrepreneurs are being planned through new investment partnerships. On Antigua, notable developments include the Nikki Beach project by Calvin Ayre and a new Marriott-branded property nearing completion at Yeptons Beach. The government is also enhancing the food and beverage sector by attracting high-end restaurants to the tourism landscape. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to cater to economy-class travelers, who constitute the majority of arrivals. Plans include a significant government stake in the rehabilitation and expansion of the Jolly Beach Hotel. The Throne Speech highlighted tourism as the cornerstone of Antigua and Barbuda’s economy, emphasizing the long-term benefits of diversification, upgraded offerings, and sustained investment across both islands.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been the cornerstone of Antigua and Barbuda’s remarkable economic growth over the past 25 years, according to Governor General Sir Rodney Williams. In his Throne Speech delivered on Thursday, Sir Rodney highlighted how sustained inflows of overseas capital have propelled the nation’s economy from US$802 million in 2000 to over US$2 billion today. He emphasized that FDI has been instrumental in driving development across key sectors, including construction, hospitality, banking, housing, and public infrastructure, laying the foundation for the country’s “solid, stable, and soaring” progress.

Antigua and Barbuda has achieved an extraordinary economic milestone, with its national output surging by over 300% in the past 25 years. The country’s economic performance has climbed from US$802 million in 2000 to an anticipated US$2 billion by 2025. Governor General Sir Rodney Williams emphasized this remarkable achievement during his Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament, describing it as a testament to the nation’s resilience and strategic planning. Despite facing significant challenges, including hurricanes, droughts, flooding, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has emerged stronger, thanks to the collective efforts of its workers, entrepreneurs, and successive governments. Sir Rodney attributed this success to a combination of factors, including robust foreign direct investment, a thriving construction and hospitality sector, enhanced educational opportunities, and a stable socio-political environment characterized by low crime rates. The country’s per capita income now exceeds EC$60,000, and it ranks 53rd on the United Nations Human Development Index—the highest among Caribbean nations. Looking ahead, the government is optimistic about sustaining this growth trajectory, with plans to invest in infrastructure, tourism, and education to drive further economic expansion in the coming decades.

The Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams, announced during the Throne Speech on Thursday that the revival of LIAT will play a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity as Air Peace prepares to launch direct flights between Africa and Antigua. Sir Rodney emphasized that LIAT’s resurgence symbolizes the sustainability of an airline once deemed a “dead horse,” positioning it as a crucial link for passengers arriving from the African continent. The expanded operations of LIAT are expected to transform Antigua and Barbuda into a regional hub, facilitating the movement of African tourists and business travelers to neighboring islands—a development seen as a significant economic opportunity for the Eastern Caribbean. Sir Rodney highlighted that LIAT’s expansion beyond the Eastern Caribbean reflects a broader recovery in the aviation sector, reinforcing Antigua’s strategic role in interregional travel and tourism growth. The Throne Speech also underscored the government’s infrastructure investments, including runway resurfacing at V.C. Bird International Airport and upgrades to roads and utilities, which are essential for accommodating increased passenger traffic. With Air Peace set to commence regular flights to Antigua, LIAT’s network will be instrumental in efficiently distributing incoming visitors across the Caribbean. Sir Rodney likened LIAT’s renewed mission to a “phoenix,” rising to meet the next phase of regional air connectivity.