Plans are forming for Antigua to overhaul its Tourism Marine Development with International Investment and Antiguan ownership of the extensive Northsound marine property which includes the North East Marine Management Area. This is a unique opportunity to introduce an Inclusive High-end Development, to empower indigenous and regional entrepreneurs into a formerly exclusive yachting/marine environment. The developers of the Dockyard at English Harbour reflected their vision of the colonial times, where only the British, European and U.S. investment in the sophisticated services were envisioned, leaving the local population to fill in the small enterprise gap of local food shops growing into small restaurants, souvenirs, clothing, taxi services and small home rentals.

This triggering of development in the Northsound region which for the most part falls under NEMMA, can bring with it to the table serious ‘Green Money,’ which can go a long way to ensuring local investment participation in areas which our Government has full responsibility to engage. Further, already there exists a local ownership platform on the Shell Beach, Barnacle Pointe and Runway 10 which can form the base for active marine services for yachting, and passenger border access.

Proper planning of the entire region must be undertaken to ensure a complement of attractive enterprises is offered to the yachting community, and in which local involvement is encouraged. With the correct Branding this Eastern shoreline of Antigua, islands, and landmass could raise the standard of Caribbean yachting and marine enterprise, appealing to both Northbound and Southbound action. More importantly, the ability to plan the economic diversity of investment with Foreign Direct Investment, local and Government involvement from inception, is paramount.

Having successfully established a platform for local business participation in the development of St. John’s, with Heritage Quay in particular, the patent is already in place for easy replication. The failures of local entrepreneurs in Heritage Quay who may have not succeeded in growth as planned, will give this new development an opportunity to ensure their opportunities remain local, but the deficiencies corrected. The establishment of a Northsound Marine Park would