Tourism Minister – By Deslyn A Joseph
Tourism Minister Says Safety
Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, Charles Fernandez, reports that tourism arrivals remain strong with several hotel properties across the country reporting consistently high occupancy rates. In a recent update, Minister Fernandez attributed these robust figures to the region’s reputation as a safe haven during a period of significant geopolitical tumult in several other parts of the world.
The Minister noted a distinct shift in global travel patterns, pointing out that travelers from key markets like Canada are increasingly looking to the Caribbean. He credited this to the fact that regional leaders and prime ministers have long advocated for the Caribbean to be maintained as a zone of peace. Fernandez suggested that with ongoing instability in the Middle East, many travelers are unwilling to take risks and are choosing the security of the region instead. Adding to this momentum, he confirmed that the airport runway is almost completed, providing timely infrastructure to welcome the increasing influx of visitors.
“The government is closely monitoring global developments to remain nimble in mitigating potential adverse impacts,” he stated. He cautioned that Antigua and Barbuda is not an outlier when it comes to the broader effects of geopolitical situations, specifically citing the rising cost of jet fuel as a factor that will inevitably impact the cost of travel. To counter these challenges, the Minister stated that the government must be prepared to pivot, which includes working closely with hoteliers to explore the possibility of offering specials and other incentives to maintain the country’s competitive edge.
Looking toward the future as the war in the Persian Gulf continues to have far-reaching impacts, the Tourism Minister remains optimistic about the opportunities for Caribbean tourism.
“By the winter of 2026, the global situation may stabilize and return to a sense of normalcy,” he assured. However, he maintained that the current climate has served as an important opportunity to showcase the Caribbean to the world as a premier destination for safety. The Minister concluded by noting that safety remains the number one priority for travelers, and the region’s status as a peaceful destination continues to be its greatest draw.
