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NEWS

Unlocking Prosperity: Antigua and Barbuda’s Soaring Economy and Tourism Triumphs

ByAlki David

Dec 18, 2023

Antigua and Barbuda, the jewel of the Caribbean, is set to witness a remarkable economic upswing, with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank predicting an impressive 8.1 percent surge by the end of 2023. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, the architect of this economic success, proudly revealed this optimistic projection during his recent budget speech, underscoring the nation’s exceptional growth trajectory.

“2023 brings us unparalleled success, with a growth rate of 8.1 percent—a testament to our visionary leadership and the unwavering commitment of our people. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Guyana in this economic triumph, fueled by sectors across the board,” declared Prime Minister Browne.

Delving into the specifics, Browne attributed the stellar economic performance to the robust contributions from key sectors. Tourism and construction emerged as primary drivers, but the Prime Minister, known for his visionary leadership, emphasized the widespread growth across the entire economic landscape. From agriculture to manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade to transportation, telecommunications, and financial services—every sector has witnessed expansion in 2023.

The heartbeat of Antigua and Barbuda’s economic vitality resonates in its tourism sector. Cruise tourism, in particular, has seen an astounding uptick, with 435,649 visitors gracing the islands from January to October 2023. This figure eclipses the entire count for 2022, marking a staggering 14% increase. Projections for the year-end estimate are even more promising, exceeding 680,000 cruise passengers—a testament to the nation’s allure as a premier travel destination.

In addition to economic triumphs, Antigua and Barbuda received accolades at the prestigious Caribbean Travel Awards. The nation clinched coveted titles, including Wedding Destination of the Year, Tourist Board of the Year, and Culinary Destination of the Year—a testament to Browne’s visionary leadership and the nation’s multifaceted appeal.

As Antigua and Barbuda continues its upward trajectory, the global spotlight is firmly fixed on this island nation. With an economy in full bloom and tourism accolades in hand, the future looks radiant for this Caribbean gem.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.