In a major boost to the tourism sector, the paradise islands of Antigua and Barbuda have surpassed pre-covid levels with tourists flocking to the island, making it one of the hottest and most desirable destinations in the Caribbean for the summer of 2022, and has led to an Antiguan property boom.

The Ministry of Tourism has announced stay over arrivals have surpassed pre covid arrivals, which during a record-breaking year in 2019, stood at 23,031. This recent surge in visits has been driven largely by an increase in visitors from the US and the UK, as well as an uptake from the Canadian and Caribbean markets.

The rise in the UK market, can be largely attributed to the increase in the number of direct flights now operating from the UK. Virgin Atlantic operates three weekly flights from London Heathrow and the recent launch of British Airways direct Heathrow service, as well as its direct flights from Gatwick to the island seven times a week, has made the island more accessible than ever to those seeking an idyllic paradise getaway or considering an investment opportunity there.  According to Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, as of May 2022, the destination's arrivals from the UK are up 6 percent year on year against the same period in 2019. 

A major increase in inward investment from overseas, such as international branded hotels and developers creating new communities of homes has also played a key part in boosting Antigua's tourism recovery and its now thriving economy. This positive impact can be seen in all sectors, none more so, than the Antigua property market, where sales are booming.

Rufus Gobat, Director of Caribbean Lifestyle Services and Pearns Point Property Development commented:

“Antiguan high end property has been in great demand since the pandemic; alongside the traditional Antiguan buyers, many high-net-worth individuals decided to relocate to the island as digital nomads during that time and saw first-hand how easy it is to live and have a base in Antigua. 

“Traditional high-end buyers continue to arrive from the UK, US, and Canada, but we are now seeing world-wide interest from countries as diverse as France, South Africa, and Singapore. Beachfront properties are also in high demand, which has led to a surge on sales at five-star gated developments such as Pearns Point, with over U$$40m in land sales to date and another U$$12m scheduled to close in 2022.

“I think one of the things that particularly appeals to buyers is the straightforward purchase process in Antigua, which is based on the UK title registration system. There is also the opportunity for property purchasers to apply for Antiguan Citizenship which also brings with it several other advantages.

“Many developers are also able to assist with the entire process from sourcing and obtaining the land and all necessary planning permission to overseeing construction completion and the on-going villa management including rentals, if required,”

James Burdess, Head of Savills Caribbean, which opened a new office in Antigua 2 years ago, also commented on the recent real estate boom:

“It's an exciting time to be involved in the property market in Antigua. The demand for homes to buy is very buoyant and the rental market is also strong, with high demand for luxury homes available to rent. Investing in the Caribbean is normally lifestyle rather than purely investment driven, but the purchase price is underpinned by value, buying a home on Antigua will appreciate, as prices are only going to go one way and that's up, in the next few years.”

With its combination of a first-class international airport with direct access to the UK, US, Canada and Europe and its world class facilities, such as hotels, restaurants, yachting and luxury property, Antigua is set to become one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean.

For more information visit www.pearnspoint.com. For sales enquiries info@orangelimited.com

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Editors Notes

Pearns Point

Pearns Point is owned by luxury property developers Orange Limited, led by Dutch entrepreneur Albert Hartog and his partners.  Together, they have been looking to create one of the most exclusive projects in the Caribbean, creating a luxurious sanctuary that not only respects the rich local inheritance and culture of Antigua, but also respects local ecosystems in a sustainable way. A hugely successful businessman in his native Netherlands, Albert is also a passionate conservationist and is the main sponsor of one of the largest privately funded wildlife support projects in South Africa (https://timbo-afrika-foundation.org). The experienced direction of those involved coupled with a drive to protect natural habitats ensure that the project is both financially viable and ecologically sensitive.

High Res Images available here

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