TOURISM FOCUS
M I N I S T R Y O F TO U R I S M A N N O U N C E S
Bright Future For Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, Antigua
A solid rescue plan is now in place to ensure the continued operation of The Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, in Antigua & Barbuda, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Development Investment, and Energy. Effective January 1, 2016, Robert A. Barrett, hotelier and chairman of the highly successful Elite Island Resorts group, stepped in to help manage and reorganise the Jolly Beach Resort’s operation. This is pursuant to an agreement dated December 28, 2015 between Barrett and Jolly Beach Corporation, the resort’s current owner. The resort, which is considered an important asset to the nation, comprises 464 guest rooms on 37 acres, and employs hundreds of staff. It also creates significant opportunities for other local businesses and collateral industries—in addition to generating substantial tax revenue for the government. Additionally, Jolly Beach Resort is a favourite among many top international tour operators in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The Ministry said, “Keeping the resort opens means flights will continue, as it BusinessFocus Feb /April
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enables the destination to continue to provide a critical mass of rooms that is absolutely needed to fill the back of the planes. The agreement will run for 90 days in the first instance to ensure that there is no disruption to bookings during the heart of the winter season.” This strategic move brokered by the government now also guarantees employment during what is expected to be a bumper winter tourist season for Antigua & Barbuda. The move has been welcomed by all of the destination’s overseas and tour operators who market Jolly Beach as one of the Antigua & Barbuda’s beach resorts with the most competitive lead in price point. To keep the resort operational, and begin making improvements, Barrett has committed to providing initial funding of up to EC$1,344,100. He and his team will also be providing expert managerial oversight and advice with the goal of making Jolly Beach Resort a success story. Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy Asot A Michael expressed his delight at the agreement that has been reached and pledged continued support to ensure the success of this initiative.
Hon. Asot A Michael, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy
“Our most important goal was to stabilise Jolly Beach and improve its operations, while preserving the hundreds of jobs of those who work directly and indirectly for the resort. We had approached Mr. Barrett, who has a long and successful track record in managing hotel properties in Antigua and Barbuda for over thirty years. His company is well known for turning around distressed properties and marketing them very effectively in our overseas source markets,” the minister said. “We are very pleased that Mr. Barrett and Elite Island Resorts have stepped up to the plate. We now have renewed confidence that Jolly Beach will be a success,” Michael added. •