The construction of Antigua’s new cruise terminal generated approximately 150 jobs at its peak, with officials now projecting that employment will more than double as the next phase of commercial development comes on stream later this year.
Gaspar George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port and Global Ports Holding’s Regional Director for Operations and Product Development, said the majority of workers engaged during the construction phase were Antiguan and Barbudan nationals.
“At the peak, we were almost at about 150 persons working here, of which the bulk of them are Antiguan and Barbudans,” George said during an interview on Government in Motion .
The first phase of the $60 million Upland Development Project delivered the new terminal building, which officially opened in January. Attention has now shifted to completing the broader upland expansion, including retail and commercial spaces, by mid-year.
George indicated that once the upland component is completed in July, employment levels are expected to grow significantly.
“When we look at the direct and indirect, it will increase from what we have right now to more than double because you have new stores of which they’ll need new persons,” he said .
The commercial expansion is expected to include more than a dozen retail outlets, kiosks and bazaars, creating space for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the cruise economy. George said the intention is to ensure a proper product mix that showcases the authenticity of Antigua and Barbuda while complementing existing businesses at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay .
Beyond construction and retail, George highlighted a deliberate effort to prioritize local participation in other aspects of the project, including media and creative production.
“The video itself is 100% Antigua and Barbuda,” he said, noting that local media houses and creatives were engaged in producing promotional content for the port .
He added that the port continues to work closely with local partners, contractors and future tenants to ensure that employment and entrepreneurial opportunities extend beyond the port gates and contribute to wider economic activity in St. John’s.
The second phase of the upland development, which includes retail build-outs and operational facilities, is expected to be completed by June or July, positioning the cruise port to expand both its commercial footprint and workforce ahead of the next cruise season .