The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) proudly announces the hosting of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Awards 2025, an annual celebration of excellence, innovation, and service within the nation’s vibrant tourism industry.
This year’s prestigious event will take place on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Sandals Grande Antigua, promising an unforgettable evening of glamour and recognition. Under the theme “Mirror Ball Gala – A Night to Reflect and Shine,” the Gala celebrates the brilliance of Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality professionals. Much like a mirror ball casting reflections in every direction, this Gala honours the countless moments of dedication, passion, and excellence shown by teams across the industry—each individual effort coming together to create something spectacular. On this glamorous night, we pause to reflect on the hard work, resilience, and service excellence that continue to elevate our nation’s tourism sector.
Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, The Honourable Charles Fernandez, stated:
“The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Awards embody the pride and professionalism that define Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product. This year’s ‘Mirror Ball Gala’ theme captures our collective spirit—one that continues to reflect the hard work, creativity, and excellence that make our destination shine among the best in the world.”
ABHTA Chairman, Craig Marshall, added:
“The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Awards are a vital celebration of the heart and soul of Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality sector. Under our theme, ‘Investing in People, Powering the Future,’ we recognise that our industry thrives because of the dedication, passion, and excellence of our professionals. The Mirror Ball Gala offers a night to reflect on these remarkable contributions and to let our hospitality stars shine brilliantly. Just as a mirror ball casts light in every direction, each act of service, each moment of commitment, contributes to the brilliance of our nation’s tourism industry. This evening is our opportunity to honour that brilliance, celebrate our collective achievements, and inspire continued excellence.”
The 2025 Tourism Awards will recognize outstanding achievements in a wide range of categories, including:
- Employee of the Year
- Supervisor of the Year
- Rising Star of the Year
- Young Hotelier of the Year
- Young Chef of the Year
- Chef of the Year
- Transportation Service Provider of the Year
- Tour Guide of the Year
- Port Frontline Employee of the Year
- Customer Service Excellence Award
- Social Media Excellence Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominations for these awards were open to both private and public sector tourism businesses, with winners to be selected by a distinguished panel of industry leaders. Honourees will be celebrated alongside Government officials, senior executives, and tourism stakeholders in a night dedicated to shining a light on the best of Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality talent.
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO, Colin C. James, remarked:
“For those being nominated, it is a tremendous honour, they represent the very best in our tourism industry. It is the work that they do, especially those who interact directly with our visitors, that makes the difference. Their warmth, professionalism, and dedication are what encourage guests to return to our shores, time and time again.”
The Tourism Awards Gala serves as the grand finale of Tourism Week 2025, which will be observed from November 22 – 29, 2025, under the theme “Our People, Our Culture, Our Environment in Full Thrive – Tourism Week 2025.”
The week’s activities are designed to inspire the tourism community, celebrate the industry’s achievements, and build excitement for a thriving winter season ahead.