Local investors to build beachfront hotel near AUA Conference Center

CAPTION: This is not the exact location of the proposed hotel.

A group of local investors has unveiled ambitious plans to construct a new 120-room hotel on the beachfront in Coolidge, in close proximity to the recently completed Antigua and Barbuda University (AUA) conference center.

The multi-million-dollar hotel project aims to complement the massive AUA conference facility, which boasts a capacity of over 1,500 persons and was primarily built to host the upcoming SIDS4 conference later this month.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who envisions the SIDS4 conference as a game-changer for diversifying the country’s tourism sector, expressed optimism about the event’s success and potential to attract more global conferences to Antigua and Barbuda.

Browne stated that the proposed beachfront hotel would be an ideal pairing with the AUA conference center.

“With a capacity to host up to 600 guests, we can now facilitate large-scale events like major conferences and weddings here,” Browne said.

“The hotel and convention center together will create one of the most beautiful and capable facilities in the region for hosting business events.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the project as an important addition to the country’s socioeconomic infrastructure aimed at enhancing its ability to capture a larger share of the lucrative meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism market.

“We’re looking forward to the actual construction and operationalization of this beachfront hotel, hopefully within the next 18 months to two years,” Browne added.

No details were provided on the projected costs, investors or proposed hotel brand involved in the ambitious beachfront development.

However, its proximity to the new state-of-the-art AUA conference facility is expected to be a major draw.

The SIDS4 conference, focused on sustainable economic development for small island nations, runs from May 27th to 30th, 2024 and is anticipated to provide a significant economic boost to Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector.