ANTIGUA & BARBUDA TOURISM AUTHORITY

Antigua and Barbuda’s top-producing travel advisors will be honoured and celebrated during the 2025 Antigua and Barbuda Black Pineapple Awards. The event, hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), recognises travel professionals from Antigua and Barbuda’s main source markets for their exceptional contribution to the destination’s tourism growth.

Approximately seventy leading travel advisors from the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America are on their way to Antigua for the gala awards ceremony, which will be held at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa on December 5, 2025.

The Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism for Antigua and Barbuda, remarked, “The Black Pineapple Awards are our way of expressing heartfelt appreciation for the excellence and the experiences delivered by our travel advisors. Every recommendation of Antigua and Barbuda, made by these travel advisors to their clients, aids in our destination’s success, and they are to be recognised and celebrated.”

Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, added, “We have certainly had a great year, with strong sales across our markets supported by our travel agent partners who have developed a deep affinity for Antigua and Barbuda. Our top producers are as invested in the destination as we are. Their passion is reflected in their sales performance, and we are proud to honour their excellence.”

Directors of Tourism: Dean Fenton (USA), Cherrie Osborne (UK and Europe) Charmaine Spencer (Caribbean and Latin America) and Tameka Wharton (Canada) alongside Business Development Managers from each source market will accompany the top-producing agents on their visit to Antigua and Barbuda.

During the ceremony, special awards will be presented in the following categories:
Director’s Award: For outstanding achievement in room night sales.
CEO’s Award: Recognising individuals from each market who demonstrated exceptional performance in driving bookings.

Minister’s Award: Celebrating agents who have shown steadfast commitment to selling Antigua and Barbuda and contributing to the destination’s overall growth.
Prime Minister’s Global Award: The highest honour, presented to the top-performing travel advisor across all markets for exceptional annual revenue generation.

The winner of the Prime Minister’s Global Award will receive a unique artisan-crafted wooden award shaped as the twin-islands with the Antigua Black pineapple featured.
In addition to the awards gala, honourees will enjoy a curated itinerary highlighting some of Antigua and Barbuda’s best experiences, including accommodations at Blue Waters Resort, Galley Bay Resort and Spa, Royalton Chic, Tamarind Hills, St. James’s Club, The Verandah Resort and Grand Pineapple Resort. Activities include a welcome reception at Tamarind Hills, land and sea tours, a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirley Heights, and to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary and Princess Diana beach in Barbuda.