INAUGURAL ANTIGUA CRUISE CONNECT CONFERENCE HAILED AS A MAJOR SUCCESS
St. John’s, Antigua, Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) successfully hosted its inaugural Antigua Cruise Connect Conference, a landmark event designed to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the growth, challenges, and future of cruise tourism in Antigua and Barbuda.
The conference, held at the John E. St. Luce Conference Centre on October 1, 2024, marked a significant milestone in ACP’s efforts to further collaborate and innovate within the cruise industry.
The conference followed a two-session format, beginning with a morning session centred on information sharing and discussions.
This session saw strong attendance from a diverse group of individuals who engage directly with cruise passengers, including taxi and tour operators, vendors and tenants of Heritage Quay, national security, customs and immigration officials, members of the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Association, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Marine Services (ADOMS), and students from the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.
Presentations were delivered by our new General Manager, Mr. Gasper George, on the state of the cruise industry; the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, the Hon. H. Charles ‘Max’ Fernandez; and the CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), Mr. Colin C. James, who provided a review of Antigua and Barbuda.
Key members of the ACP team, including Operations Manager Mr. Rawle Reynolds and Maintenance and Engineering Manager Mr. Bevon Burke, offered attendees in-depth insights into the port’s operational strategies and Upland Development.
The evening session transitioned into a panel discussion, focusing on Global Ports Holding’s five-year journey in Antigua and Barbuda, its Eastern Caribbean strategy, and product development initiatives.
The panel featured key industry figures, including Mr. Mike Maura, CEO of Nassau Cruise Port and Regional Director of GPH Americas; Mr. Lancelot Arnold, Director of GPH Eastern Caribbean & Saint Lucia Cruise Port; Dr. Sean Matthew, GPH Business Development Advisor; and Mr. Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port and Regional Director of Operations & Product Development for the Eastern Caribbean.
The conference, hosted by Mr. Andre Norton, Health & Safety Manager and PSFO at Antigua Cruise Port, was lauded for offering valuable insights into the current state of the cruise industry and its impact on Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector.
This inaugural event sets the foundation for future collaborations, as ACP continues its efforts to shape the cruise experience for both passengers and local businesses while contributing significantly to Antigua and Barbuda’s economic development.
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I guess no comments mean they have nothing bad to say. That is good news. But let me then give kudos to Mr. George from the Antigua Cruise Port, for this inaugural Cruise Connect Co0onference. And have Antigua again lead the way is Cruise destination. And I hope this time no other Caribbean Island will come and steal our bread, like what happened under the UPP. I just hope and wish more Antiguans will position themselves to take advantage of these cruise tourist. There is really not much to do in Antigua and the tourist are hungry for things to do and spend their money. It could be as simple as entertaining a group at your home for an experience with a local family doing things like cooking fungi and saltfish or making ginger beer and other local drinks. People like to get the local culture. Yes they want to go to the beach and have a swim but that should not have to be a whole day event. One can entertain groups of six, which is three couples in a normal size home and have lunch included for lets say US$150 per person. And they will learn how to cook and make local drinks. Better yet for those that have a pool.
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