Following another disappointing staging of the once very popular, Antigua Sailing Week (ASW), the Cabinet has decided that a new team will assume responsibility for planning and executing the event from next year.
This comes as the Cabinet expressed its disappointment over the Antigua Sailing Week 2025, events.
The Cabinet noted that although the franchise is held by the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) and that a contract with a well-known promoter permits all major decisions to be made by that promoter, the Cabinet sought answers from the Chairman of the National Parks Authority (NPA), Senator Philip Shoul, and the Executive Director of the NPA, Ms. Annemarie Martin.
The duo explained that in 2007/2008, the then Minister of Tourism, Hon. John Maginley, privatized Antigua Sailing Week by selling the franchise to the Hotel and Tourism Association. A licence was then given to a private individual to determine the events which would characterize ASW.
In those days, it was explained, as many as 142 boats would participate; the number today has fallen to less than 50 boats.
Cabinet sources say the Chairman sought and received policy guidelines that will result in ASW continuing at the end of April each year, and that the licence to the private individual—which has expired—will not be renewed.
“Nevertheless, a Committee made up of all stakeholders will be asked to plan and execute Sailing Week 2026 with Government’s support pledged,” the Cabinet sources revealed.
