TTC Travel Trade Caribbean

St John's.- Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer is looking with good eyes to the proposal of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to develop and expand the cruise port in the capital. For the PM, the opportunities of the project "far outweigh the challenges".
Baldwin announced he will engage in the process to speed it up and said he looks forward to next steps such as a meeting with key players and a community consultation. The Florida-based leading investor in cruise port development came to Antigua and Barbuda with the plan of forming a joint venture with the local government.
At a presentation to the Cabinet, Vice President for Commercial and New Business Development John Tercek assured that Royal Caribbean wants to make such investment based on the importance of the twin-island federation in the cruise tourism industry. Tercek warned, however, that though the nation has done well in managing the growth of its cruise and land-based tourism, "it has outgrown its infrastructure".
The development includes improved road and parking infrastructure, improved berthing facilities and an additional berth at the Deep Water Harbour, a comprehensive signage program that incorporates informational, directional and regulatory signs and lighting, a taxi dispatch and welcome center, modern restroom facilities, a yacht marina and slips, a downtown boutique hotel, residential and entertainment facilities, restaurants and bars, designer shopping boutiques, a boardwalk and beautification and landscaping of entire areas.