Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez
Tourism Week 2025 opened on a high note over the weekend, kicking off with the largest and most vibrant staging yet of the annual Tourism Blast Off at the Rising Sun Grounds on Saturday, November 22. The signature cultural showcase drew a large and enthusiastic crowd, signaling a spirited start to the upcoming winter tourism season.
This year’s event featured standout performances from across Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural landscape. The Schools’ Panorama Champions, Villa Primary School and Christ the King High School, delivered powerful steel pan renditions that energized the audience. Junior Soca and Calypso Monarchs added youthful flair with crowd-pleasing performances.
A packed entertainment lineup kept momentum high throughout the evening, with appearances by Showtime Productions, Lyrical Redz, Lyrics Man, Pandemonium Steel Orchestra, Halcyon Steel Orchestra, Xxplosive Band, Venom X with Soca Villian and Island Prince, along with Young Vice and Kaution Band Intl. The celebration highlighted the nation’s deep artistic talent and cultural pride.
Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez underscored the inclusive nature of the tourism industry, noting that the Blast Off event serves as a space to showcase the country’s best performers and cuisine while engaging the wider community.
On Sunday, Tourism Week continued with the annual Service of Thanksgiving at the Kentish Pentecostal Church. Tourism partners joined ministry officials for a reflective service that featured prayers for continued growth in the sector and messages of gratitude, unity, and shared national purpose.
The week’s activities resume on Tuesday, November 25, with Charity Day, during which the Ministry and its partners will distribute food packages and essential supplies to four charitable organisations across Antigua and Barbuda. The initiative reinforces the sector’s commitment to community support and social responsibility.
As Tourism Week progresses, the Ministry of Tourism extended appreciation to all performers, partners, and attendees for helping to make the opening events a success and for their continued contribution to the nation’s tourism industry.
Tourism Week really started with a bang this year! The talent on that stage was unbelievable, Antigua and Barbuda never disappoints.
Events like this remind me why our culture is such a major part of our tourism product. Talent, vibes, and community all in one place.
I was not even aware that this had happened
There were more vendors than patrons. But sometimes so it go
Long live Max Fernandez.
As if i not feeling the vibes this year, You all dropped points on the promotions
Tourism Week always reminds me how many families in this country depend on this industry to survive
Tourism is everybodys business. Lets play our parts