| Abbreviation | ABHTA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 20th century |
| Type | Tourism Industry Association |
| Headquarters | St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda |
Region served | Antigua and Barbuda |
Chairman | Craig Marshall |
| Website | antiguahotels.org |
The Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) is a membership-based organisation that speaks on behalf of the country's private tourism sector. Its members include a wide range of businesses, such as hotels, guesthouses, villa operators, airlines, and tour providers. Over the years, the Association has emerged as a point of coordination between private enterprises and government bodies involved in tourism and hospitality.
The Association was formed in response to the growing need for a consolidated voice to represent tourism-related businesses in Antigua and Barbuda. Today, it works closely with the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. As of mid-2025, ABHTA included more than fifty companies. [1] [2] [3] Its current chairman, Craig Marshall, who also serves as Regional Commercial Director at Blue Diamond Resorts, was re-elected in June 2025. His tenure has focused on improving training, fostering innovation, and investing in people. His executive team includes Brian Murphy of Carlisle Bay Hotel and Norma Holder of Curtain Bluff Hotel as vice-chairs. Meanwhile, Patrice Simon, the Association's executive director, was appointed President of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) in 2024. [4] [5]
ABHTA has placed strong emphasis on workforce readiness and professional development. In September 2024, the organisation hosted a major job fair on World Tourism Day, attracting more than 600 applicants and close to 30 companies. That event was part of a broader strategy to close skills gaps and increase employment within the sector. [6] The following March, ABHTA launched a new learning initiative aimed at hospitality professionals, beginning with a specialised session on cost control and procurement practices. [7]
One of the Association's priorities is expanding access to regional and international markets. In May 2025, Antigua and Barbuda played host to the 43rd edition of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace. The event brought over 800 delegates to St. John's, and 22 Antiguan companies took part—the country's highest number of participants to date. [4] Alongside the trade meetings, ABHTA also helped set up a dedicated Linkages Pavilion, highlighting opportunities for closer collaboration between tourism operators and local suppliers. [8]
Labour advocacy has remained a constant theme in the Association's work. On 4 June 2025, ABHTA reached an agreement with the national hotel workers’ union to improve pay conditions on public holidays. [9] A few months earlier, in January, it also succeeded in negotiating a $25 weekly raise for hospitality employees, along with expanded paternity benefits and new allowances. [10] As shifts in guest behaviour became more evident (14% drop in hotel stays and an 11% rise in villa bookings), the Association also called for changes to the way accommodation levies are applied, suggesting that villas and short-term rentals be taxed in the same manner as hotels. [11]
The organisation has also taken steps to honour those who have shaped its history. In March 2025, tributes were paid to two former chairmen—Sir Robert A. Barrett, KCN, and Alexandre De Brito—both of whom passed away within days of each other. Their work was widely credited with helping the Association become more structured, influential, and regionally connected. [12] [13] [14]
ABHTA is now viewed as one of the most active national tourism associations in the Eastern Caribbean. It has supported efforts to improve airlift, secure better rates for its members, and raise awareness of the tourism sector's needs during times of global uncertainty. Through partnerships, leadership roles, and practical advocacy, it continues to influence the shape of tourism policy across the region. [15]