Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez

Antigua and Barbuda is to conduct a tourism carrying capacity study to determine how much visitor growth the country can sustainably manage.

Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez announced the planned study while opening the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s Marketing Strategy Meetings on Tuesday.

He said the research is needed as the country expands airlift, cruise operations, hotel capacity and tourism investment.

The study will examine whether beaches, attractions, infrastructure, communities and natural resources can support further growth without affecting residents’ quality of life or the visitor experience.

Fernandez said tourism policy must move beyond simply increasing arrival numbers, with greater attention placed on attracting higher-value visitors and ensuring more tourism revenue remains in the local economy.

He also urged officials to protect the country’s environmental, cultural and historical assets as the industry expands.

The minister identified the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market as one area with potential to diversify tourism and attract visitors outside traditional leisure periods.

He said the sector’s future would depend on cooperation between government, tourism officials, airlines, hotels, transport providers, tour operators, businesses and local communities.

Fernandez said Antigua and Barbuda should focus on sustainable and resilient growth rather than pursuing visitor numbers at any cost.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Minister Fernandez Calls for Study to Guide Sustainable Tourism Growth.