Tourism Minister Charles Max Fernandez is expressing his delight and satisfaction with the new Upland Development nearing completion at St. John’s Harbour. Minister Fernandez joined Prime Minister Gaston Browne and other government officials on a guided tour of the new tourism facility organized by the Antigua Cruise Port, the local arm of Global Ports Holdings.
Global Ports Holdings has invested millions of dollars in the development, which will greatly enhance the aesthetics and visitor experience for cruise ship arrivals. Minister Fernandez believes the facility will elevate Antigua and Barbuda’s profile as a cruise destination, leading to increased demand from cruise operators to include the country in their itineraries.
“I have had the opportunity to travel and see other cruise ports, and I must tell you that this cruise port ranks among the best. Cruise lines want to carry their customers to a safe environment, and Antigua and Barbuda is a safe environment. They also want to take them to a place that is aesthetically pleasing, clean, and efficiently run, and GPH has proven they are up to the task,” Fernandez observed.
The tourism minister noted that the government, in partnership with GPH, aims to attract not just ordinary cruise ships but also those carrying high-end passengers who would patronize the shops established in the new tourism facility. “What that means is that there will be opportunities for them to spend more in our economy,” he noted.
Minister Fernandez recalled that before the development, both he and the prime minister observed the area from a cruise ship and noted how dilapidated it looked, which was not pleasing for visitors. However, all that has changed with the near completion of the Upland Project, which is being prepared for the start of the upcoming cruise season.