Antigua and Barbuda is gearing up to host the Fourth Conference of Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)4, which is expected to attract thousands of people from all over the world.

However, finding suitable accommodation for all the delegates has proven to be a challenging task.

To tackle this issue, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has taken a hands-on approach and is actively involved in the search for alternative accommodation options.

Initially, the idea was to lease a cruise ship and dock it in St. John’s Harbour to provide accommodation for the delegates.

However, this idea was eventually ruled out due to the high cost associated with it.

Prime Minister Browne explained that the cost of leasing the cruise ship would have been over US$6 million, which the government would have had to pay upfront.

In case of low occupancy, the government would have incurred a loss of around US$3 million, a significant amount for a small country like Antigua and Barbuda.

Despite this setback, the government is now encouraging residents of Antigua and Barbuda to ‘open’ their homes for rent to the conference delegates.

This would allow more people to directly benefit from the conference taking place in their country.

With the Prime Minister taking a proactive approach, the government is confident that they will be able to find suitable accommodation options for all the delegates.

“We want to make sure we maximise the amount of ‘spend’ in the local economy. We see this as a great opportunity for those who operate AirBnB properties to cash-in on this development. The Ministry of Tourism is currently making list of these properties and its Project Development Officer, St. Clair Soleyn is spearheading that effort,” he reported.

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda is leaving no stone unturned in his tireless efforts to host an important conference that promises to bring significant economic benefits to the country.

To make this possible, he has gone beyond the conventional means and sought out non-traditional sources. One of these sources is the prestigious Mill Reef Club, which has a reputation for providing the finest accommodations and services to its guests.

In recent meetings with the Club’s President, the Prime Minister received assurances that delegate accommodations will be made available at certain properties.

This is a significant development, as it would enable the smooth flow of the conference and ensure that the needs of the delegates are met.

The Prime Minister is confident that these efforts will result in a substantial increase in spending in the local economy, thereby justifying the decision to host the conference.

This would ultimately lead to a net economic benefit for the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, as it would create jobs and generate revenue for the country.