Antigua and Barbuda: Paradise on Earth

The Caribbean island nation has positioned itself as an unbeatable destination for tourists, residents and astute investors

Antigua and Barbuda's economy is thriving, with the twin-island Caribbean idyll recording around 6.5 percent average annual growth in its gross domestic product since 2021.

This performance has been helped by a rapid post-COVID rebound of tourism, which contributes about 65 percent of the nation's GDP, as visitors flock back to experience its stunning beaches, seas, rainforests, colonial history and vibrant culture. "In the first quarter of 2023, our tourism numbers were 5 percent up on 2019, which was a record year. We also had a very good summer and 2024 is looking great," reveals Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment Charles Fernandez.

The country has invested in infrastructure to encourage the sector's expansion, he says: "Antigua's airport has been voted the best in the Caribbean for at least four years running and we've just completed a new airport in Barbuda. We've also done a tremendous amount of work at Antigua's cruise port." Investments have been made to make tourism and the wider economy more environmentally friendly too. "For example, we're opening a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant. We will be able to offer LNG power to ships and we will have a cleaner energy industry," states Fernandez.