Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) proudly welcomed a high-level government delegation including Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne and Minister of Tourism the Hon. Charles Fernandez, to the Upland Development site on July 15, 2025.
The site visit formed part of a scheduled update on the multi-million dollar cruise infrastructure project currently transforming the landside area along Newgate Street.
During the tour, oicials received a comprehensive walkthrough of the first phase of development, which is on track for completion by November 2025.
This phase includes construction of a world-class passenger terminal designed to support the growing demand for homeporting operations.
It will also feature a vibrant array of shopping and dining options that showcase the rich culture and appeal of Antigua and Barbuda as a leading cruise destination.
The Hon. Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed his satisfaction with the pace of construction during the site visit, stating, “I’m very pleased with the progress of the work.
When I came here about three months ago for the groundbreaking; I never anticipated that you would have piled o the entire area and that a couple of the buildings would be significantly advanced.
It tells me that the pace of work is extremely impressive, and we look forward to the completion of the first phase.”
Reflecting on the transformation, the Prime Minister added: “I recall eleven years ago when we assumed oice, this area was littered with very unsightly sunken barges and boats.
I even recall myself and Minister Fernandaz actually visiting one of the largest ships at the time that was docked and we felt so embarrassed, when the captain pointed out just how unsightly the area was,” he continued “So what is happening now with the completion of the second phase; this space in essence will be transformed into a beautiful cruise tourism facility.”
Hon. Prime Minister Browne also praised the public-private partnership with Global Ports Holding (GPH):
“Today has proven that it was a very good decision to partner with Global Ports Holding, because along with the benefits to the people of Antigua and Barbuda that we have seen including the increased head tax and arrivals, I’ve also seen that this project is catalyzing local investments.”
“For example – I see a three-story building going up here to the north side of the Upland Development build out and I’m told it’s an Airbnb property with pool and so on.
This is the kind of transformation that we are so happy about. I’d encourage more entrepreneurs to get involved in the space with the many opportunities being provided; so once again congratulations Global Ports Holding – we are very pleased, and you can be assured you have the continued support of my administration and we’re looking to take our cruise tourism product to new heights.”
the Prime Minister concluded.
Watch the video recap of Prime Minister Browne: https://youtu.be/8OxmE4Kpds8
The Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism echoed similar sentiments: “What we are seeing today is a clear indication of what the cabinet and government acquired in terms of working with GPH,” he continued “Antigua and Barbuda was the first country in the region to sign with GPH and irrespective of the naysayers, they couldn’t understand the vision and the concept.
So everything will be first-class, the facade will be unbelievable, the whole presentation coming into Antigua will be something that is going to be the envy in my opinion of most of the Caribbean”
Watch the video recap of Minister of Tourism Fernandez: https://youtu.be/FzSch-Eck-k
Also expressing his excitement on the progress and responding to the government’s endorsement, Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, commented: “We’re proud to report that the Upland Development is progressing on schedule, with several major milestones already completed.
Cruise calls last season increased by over 10% compared to the previous year, and homeporting grew by more than 20%; clear indicators of the growing demand for Antigua and Barbuda as a cruise destination.
The government’s confidence in our efforts speaks volumes, and we will continue to deliver results that generate lasting positive impact for the people of Antigua and Barbuda in many years to come.”
Antigua Cruise Port extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for its continued partnership and support.
ACP remains committed to delivering a world-class gateway that will enhance the cruise experience while promoting sustainable tourism growth for the destination.
“Antigua Cruise Port – Ready, Set, Sail… Unlocking Quay Opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda!” ###
Manager – Gasper George and Hon. Tourism Minister – Charles Fernandez
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Yes GM, you mentioned that there is a partnership, but you fail to mention the details of that partnership.
I just hope GPH are the ones spending all the money to cover the cost of this project, and all the Government is merely doing, is waiting to collect their part of the deal in taxes?
You have mentioned many partnerships before in the past, Air Peace, Antigua Airways,just to mention a few, but with no details.
So transparency is what we ask for GB, so the voters can know where and how their money is being spent.
That’s all.
But I think it clearly points to the idea we the black people can’t help ourselves under the ethno supremacists doctrine, we are been infantilized, the white man will spend any money to maintain the supremacists narrative.
But by the way I don’t think global port as the acronym these mafia’s call themselves is spending any of their monies, we let these people come here and collect taxes that the government was collecting previously and give us pittance and enrich them and their shareholders, then with government acquisition and all it takes to do the project we are now celebrating global port who did nothing but are been used as a conduit to channel funds, and this global port have control over security to ship out anything on these tourist boat, the idea they stopped people from window shopping at heritage cay at nights is suspicious.
It’s a good idea as Gaston has it to modernize the cruise port, but it will always remain a not too good project, because in real countries the cruise port and the cargo port can’t be in close proximity they are separated for safety and traffic and aesthetic, that’s a recipe for disaster and accidents and logistics of ship incoming and outgoing departure interruption affecting schedule time.
And st John’s been run down by the syrians is a flap, and the newly established friars hill road businesses is a flap and most of it is under bank foreclosures, that’s the reason the government renting a lot of these white bourgeois properties out there or caused board members who are affiliated through lodge groups to put banks in those rental properties on friars hill road, APUA and ACB was coerced by the politicians to go help the Bento’s pay the bank for village walk project . After all these top management are all part of the same freemason group so they go and help these white property owners on friars hill road . So I will see what happens to the pointe development project because heritage cay flaps, Gaston will have to cut the support for these bourgeois properties on friars hill road to get st John’s back up.
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