• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Antigua Cruise Port (ACP) welcomed Antigua's Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, and Tourism Minister, Charles Fernandez, for an update on the construction of its new terminal, the Upland project, which is entering its final stages before its scheduled inauguration in autumn 2026.
Among the delegation were Senator Michael Freeland, ACP Board Chairman, Sean Matthews, and St. John's Development Corporation Board Chairman, Kevin Morgan, along with other government officials, key cruise tourism sector partners, and members of the local media.
Led by Antigua Cruise Port General Manager, Gasper George, the visit offered a direct view of the progress of the works and highlighted the new commercial, dining, and leisure spaces being built along the St. John's waterfront.
This latest milestone comes approximately 18 months after Antigua Cruise Port began development works in the upland area in February 2025, with major piling works commencing in April 2025. Since then, the property has been radically transformed, and in January 2026, a purpose-built port terminal, covering 930 square meters, was officially inaugurated.
Prime Minister Browne described the progress as "astonishing," reflecting on the drastic change the Upland Development project site has undergone in the last decade. "They have transformed the area in a very short time. Today, this is undoubtedly one of the best upland urban development projects in the world, not just in the Caribbean, but in the entire world. I want to thank Antigua Cruise Port, as well as the management and owners of Global Ports Holding (GPH), for collaborating with my government to make this exciting urban development project a reality," he said.
Browne also highlighted the extensive economic opportunities the project would generate, including increased trade, new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, such as street vendors and taxi drivers, as well as numerous direct jobs. He also praised that many of the commercial premises will be occupied by Antiguan and Barbudan entrepreneurs, along with a selection of international brands.
Minister Fernandez expressed satisfaction that the project strengthens the destination's capacity to attract cruise ships by creating an environment that encourages passengers to disembark, explore, and spend in the local economy. "I have had the opportunity to visit several cruise ports, and this is among the best. It is a total transformation. Thanks to this level of development, in collaboration with Antigua Cruise Port and Global Ports Holding (GPH), we are positioning Antigua and Barbuda to attract more cruise operators, including high-end cruise lines," he stated.
With the inauguration now on the horizon, General Manager George affirmed that attention is increasingly focusing on operational readiness and team training to deliver the planned experience for the site. "The progress we have made with Upland Development has been very rewarding, encouraging, and exciting. We are now transitioning from construction to operation and preparing our team to bring this new experience to life. We are focused on training our staff, improving our service standards, and introducing new guest services that will help consolidate Antigua and Barbuda's position as a premier cruise destination," he expressed.
The General Manager also emphasized that the new project aims to complement, rather than compete with, the existing retail and dining offerings at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay. "We consider this an extension of the port experience. It's about providing new opportunities, new experiences, new commercial options, and new dining offerings, while ensuring that Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay remain an important part of the overall experience," he indicated.
