Hundreds of international delegates expected for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting could generate a significant economic boost for small businesses, accommodation providers, food vendors and entertainment operators across Antigua and Barbuda.

CHOGM Business Forum Task Force member Colin Knight said organisers are deliberately seeking to ensure that local people receive a meaningful share of the economic activity surrounding the November conference.

Speaking on the Browne & Browne Show over the weekend, Knight said the country has pushed for delegates and other visitors to use local accommodation rather than relying on offshore lodging arrangements.

That approach, he said, creates opportunities not only for large hotels but also for smaller guest houses and Airbnb operators.

Knight said visitors will also require food, transportation, entertainment and other services, creating wider spending across the economy.

He described CHOGM as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s effort to develop conference tourism as another pillar of the tourism industry.

The country has hosted a series of major international meetings in recent years and is positioning itself to attract more large conferences alongside its traditional sun, sea and sand tourism product.

Knight said the long-term objective is to expand room stock, strengthen local business capacity and create new revenue streams that remain after the conference ends.

Antigua and Barbuda is preparing to host leaders and delegations from across the 56-member Commonwealth in November, along with business executives, civil society representatives, youth and women’s delegations and other participants.