New luxury resorts, expanded cruise operations and the return of the island of Barbuda to the tourism map highlight new developments in Antigua as the island is poised to host the Caribbean’s top tourism conference next year.
Ground Broken on Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua
Mark your calendars for 2028, when a major new development will debut on Jolly Beach in Antigua.
That’s when the $400-million Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua, which will also feature a beach club called Nikki Beach Antiguas as well as private Nikki Beach Residences, is expected to open.
Details of the project were announced at a recent groundbreaking ceremony. “We look forward to introducing the Nikki Beach experience to the stunning island of Antigua, marking our first resort and residences in the Caribbean and our second beach club after Saint Barth,” said Lucia Penrod, cofounder, CEO and owner of Nikki Beach Hospitality Group. Calvin Ayre, Chairman of the Ayre Group development company, added, “This soon-to-be-developed 5-star hotel on the beachfront of Antigua is poised to become an unforgettable destination in the region, combining luxury, convenience, and modern living. As guests enter the property, they will be immediately immersed in its idyllic atmosphere and breathtaking ocean views.”
The resort will feature 82 hotel rooms and suites, 181 luxury residences of up to four bedrooms, comprising studios, apartments, and beach-front villas, for a total of 876 guest beds on-site. Residence owners will be able to participate in a rental program. The complex will include the beach club plus five additional food and beverage outlets, a Tone Gym, and Nikki Spa.
New Barbuda Airport Debuts
The smaller of the two-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda got a major boost to its tourism development with the opening of the new Burton-Nibbs International Airport in October.
A state-of-the-art replacement for the Barbuda Codrington Airport devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, the $55-million Burton-Nibbs International Airport is the country’s second international airport, joining VC Bird International Airport in St. John’s on Antigua.
Located near Codrington Village in central Barbuda, the airport features a 6,100-foot runway that, unlike Barbuda Codrington Airport, can handle commercial aircraft like the Embraer E-170 and private jets. A further extension of the runway is planned so the airport can accommodate larger passenger jets.
The airport is part of a government plan to open up Barbuda, previously a sleepy backwater where sale of private land was prohibited, to major resort development — a plan that has met resistance from many Barbuda residents.
Royalton CHIC Antigua Adds a Dozen Over-water Suites
Both Royalton resorts in Antigua now have over-water accommodations among its suite offerings.
On Oct. 4, the all-inclusive Royalton CHIC Antigua, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, debuted 12 new over-water suites; the Royalton Antigua’s Chairman Overwater Bungalows, opened in 2019, were previously the only overwater accommodations on the island.
Jurgen Stutz, senior vice president of sales for marketing and distribution at Blue Diamond Resorts, said the new suites offer guests “the opportunity to enjoy overwater accommodations typically found in far-flung destinations like the Maldives.”
“This opening invites adult travelers from around the world to discover the charm of Antigua, one of the region’s trendiest and most accessible destinations,” said Stutz.
Each of the overwater suites offers panoramic year-round sunset views, crystal-clear glass floors, private plunge pools, and direct ocean access. Royalton’s Diamond Club privileges, extended to over-water suite guests, includes butler service. Three classes of over-water suites are available: Chairman, Presidential, and Junior.
Antigua Cruise Port Welcomed the Sapphire Princess on Inaugural Call
On Oct.19, the Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) welcomed Sapphire Princess on her highly anticipated inaugural call.
The Sapphire Princess, carrying over 2,600 passengers, docked in the historic harbor of St. John’s where a celebratory plaque exchange ceremony was held aboard the vessel, involving government officials, cruise agents, and ACP representatives gathered to commemorate the occasion.
Government officials were enthusiastic, noting this call’s significant economic boost to local businesses, vendors, and the tourism industry. With increased calls from leading cruise lines, Antigua Cruise Port is actively investing in infrastructure and customer experiences to cater to a growing number of international visitors. The visit by Sapphire Princess comes at a pivotal time for ACP, celebrating a season of record-breaking calls and visitor arrivals.
Antigua to Host 2025 CHTA Marketplace
Antigua and Barbuda will be the host country for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) 43rd Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the region’s largest tourism conference and trade show.
This will be the first time that Antigua and Barbuda will host CHTA Marketplace, which has traditionally been held in larger destinations like the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
The event is scheduled for May 18-22, 2025, and will be held at the American University of Antigua (AUA), a new, state-of-the-art conference facility that recently hosted the United Nations’ 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Charles “Max” Fernandez, Antigua’s minister of tourism, noted that Antigua is highly accessible by air, with service “by every major airline flying to the region.”
“Marketplace is undisputedly the Caribbean’s largest and premier marketing event, and we are delighted that Antigua and Barbuda will be the site for this important gathering of Caribbean suppliers and global buyers, where new and established stakeholders can gain access to the diverse offerings of travel products and experiences throughout the region,” said CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig.
Components of the 2025 CHTA Marketplace will include Responsible Tourism Day, the Caribbean Travel Forum thought leadership discussion, the Caribbean MICE Exchange (including a new program on maximizing direct online bookings using digital marketing and AI), and one-on-one trade show buyer-seller appointments.
Jumby Bay Island Resort Opens New Beach Club
The 300-acre Jumby Bay Island resort has added a new beach club set on a tiny island of its own. Debuting in November 2024, The Hut, Little Jumby will be accessible via a 30-minute boat ride from the main private island resort or from mainland Antigua. The beach club will feature cabanas, beach huts, all-day dining, live entertainment, and activities like hiking and naturalist-guided walks.
