By Aabigayle McIntosh

Manager of the Antigua Port Authority Darwin Telemaque is anticipating a profitable 2024 going into the second quarter of the year.

In a state media interview he stated, “As more and more passengers come in, they have to drink… and eat as well. So, we’ve seen a pretty strong tourist season both at the hotels and cruise side, and that has led to a consistently strong first quarter”.

He further explained that the Port at Deep Water Habour has seen consistent activities so far for the year. He attributes this to a robust tourist season.

“We have seen a busy April, busier than most, and even the month of May in terms of cruise vessels we still have quite a few left. Some are going all the way into June, so there is an extension,” Telemaque said.

The port manager is also of the strong belief that this year is on track to be one of the best-performing years in recent times.

This is happening at a time when the county is set to host the 4^th International Conference of Small Island Developing States or SID4 conference set to run from May 27 to 30. Antigua and Barbuda will also place host to ICC T20 WC 2024 later on in June and a major Artificial Intelligence Conference in July.

“In 2007, because of the World Cup coming to Antigua, 2007 before my arrival here was the best performing year of the port and it was directly related to the World Cup so we’re looking forward to seeing if June can give us that spike and right after that is carnival so maybe this will be a good year,” he said.