The Calvin Ayre Group to undertake major tourism development

Economic Ambassador Calvin Ayre has confirmed that his Ayre Group is to
undertake a multi-million dollar tourism investment in the Jolly Harbour area.
Speaking with state television, Ambassador Ayre announced that the Ayre Group
will invest some US$400 million to develop a luxury resort, Niki Beach, on some
10 acres of land at Jolly Beach.
He said a formal announcement will soon be made but his group expects to
develop the project over the next three to four years. “It’s going to be about a year
out before we have shovels in the ground and building foundation but we hope to
begin with the demolition of some of the existing buildings by the end of the first
quarter of next year,” he explained.
He said the project will be on lands adjacent to the home of Prime Minister Gaston
Browne, to the edge of the Jolly Beach property on roughly ten acres of land.
Ambassador Ayre explained that he is making the announcement ahead of a formal
launch as the information has been leaking out over time. He further explained that
the development will include a luxury resort, as well as private villas.
Regarding financing, the ambassador said his group will make the initial
investments and later attract other investors to the project.
“I think this development will ‘put Antigua on the map;’ I am excited about this
project; I live here, I love this area and I would wish nothing better than to have
Niki Beach Resort located in the Jolly Harbour area,” he stated.
He noted that attracting a high-end clientele to Antigua and Barbuda adds much to
the country’s tourism yield. “That high-end clientele occupied the same amount of
sand as the person who comes off the cruise ship and only wants to buy a beer. So I
think if Antigua and Barbuda attracts the bigger spender it would not only be a
boost for the economy in the area but for the country overall,” he added.