LISTEN: PM Browne Defends Sandals Overwater Bungalows, Says Antigua Must Expand Luxury Tourism Offerings

Prime Minister Gaston Browne is defending plans for new overwater bungalows at Sandals Grande Antigua, arguing that Antigua and Barbuda must continue expanding its high-end tourism offerings if it is to remain competitive with other destinations that cater to luxury travelers.

Speaking on his weekly radio programme on Saturday, Browne dismissed criticism of the proposed development and said the project will help increase tourism revenue while preserving public access to Dickenson Bay.

The prime minister revealed earlier that Sandals plans to invest more than US$100 million in an expansion that will add over 100 rooms to the resort, including approximately 16 overwater bungalow rooms.

According to Browne, the government has already made it clear that the structures will not be built in the middle of the beach.

“What we’ve said to them, though, is that they cannot build those overwater bungalows in the middle of the beach,” Browne said. “They will be going southwards towards the groyne so that they do not impede the use of the beach by other users.”

The prime minister said concerns that the development would restrict access to Dickenson Bay are misplaced because the bungalows will be located over the water rather than on the beach itself.

“These are not going to take up beach,” he said. “Dickenson Bay will still be accessible to all stakeholders.”

Browne argued that Antigua and Barbuda cannot afford to resist investments that strengthen the country’s tourism product, particularly at a time when competing destinations are generating significantly higher revenues from luxury tourism.

“There are some people who have the knee-jerk reaction that we have too many hotel rooms,” Browne said. “Really?”

He pointed to destinations such as the Maldives, Bora Bora and the Seychelles, which have built successful tourism industries around premium accommodations, including overwater villas and bungalows.

According to Browne, those destinations earn billions of dollars annually from tourism and have demonstrated the value of attracting visitors willing to pay premium rates for exclusive experiences.

“We are barely generating maybe US$2 billion a year in tourism revenues and people say we have too many hotels,” he said.

The prime minister noted that overwater accommodations often command room rates of several thousand US dollars per night.

He said similar units at Royalton Antigua already generate rates of approximately US$3,000 nightly and have proven popular with visitors seeking luxury experiences.

“These units provide a high yield,” Browne said. “They’re far more exciting. It enhances the product and places us in a more competitive space compared to other regional countries involved in tourism.”

Browne said the additional revenue generated by luxury accommodations can help improve the financial performance of hotels and create opportunities for better wages and benefits for workers.

He also sought to address environmental concerns that have been raised about overwater developments.

The prime minister said appropriate mitigation measures can be implemented to reduce environmental impacts and noted that similar structures have operated successfully in hurricane-prone regions.

“There are some people who believe they will get blown down during a hurricane,” Browne said. “Even if they were to be blown down, they’re insured and they would have to build back.”

Browne pointed to other overwater structures in Antigua, including facilities that have withstood major storms over the years, as evidence that such developments can be constructed safely and sustainably.

The prime minister also revealed that Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart believes the proposed Antigua bungalows could become among the most attractive in the region.

Browne said Stewart has indicated that the planned accommodations will offer a product distinct from existing overwater units elsewhere in Antigua.

The expansion forms part of a broader effort by the government to increase room stock and strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s position in the global tourism market.

Browne maintained that attracting additional high-spending visitors remains critical to growing the economy and generating increased revenue from the country’s tourism sector.

“As far as we can build out more of those overwater bungalows and they do not impact other users and stakeholders, I think we should encourage them,” he said. “Because it will help to uplift our product.”

Source: Prime Minister Gaston Browne on the Brown and Brown Show.

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