October 2016: As the Caribbean prepares for the winter sun season, the islands of Antigua and Barbuda have a number of exciting developments and a 'Year of Anniversaries' coming up. Highlights include renovations at Curtain Bluff resort, the newly re-vamped luxury Rock Cottage at Blue Waters and the first stages of development of the multi-million dollar Paradise Found project on Barbuda.

Island Statistics

Thus far in 2016, the islands on Antigua and Barbuda have seen double digit growth in visitor numbers when compared to previous years. Following on from this strong growth, Antigua and Barbuda is keen to grow further through the redevelopment at the St John's pier to accommodate larger vessels, along with the construction of an additional pier to enable up to six ships to dock simultaneously.  

2017 – Antigua's 'Year of Anniversaries'

2017 is a big year of celebrations for Antigua and Barbuda.  Continuing on from the 35th Independence celebrations, 2017 will mark 50 years of Antigua Sailing Week, 60 years of Antigua's Carnival – The Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival and 30 years of Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

Antigua Sailing Week, 29th April – 5th May 2017

The 50th anniversary of Antigua Sailing Week, the world's biggest sailing event, will take place from 29th April to 5th May 2017. During the event, different sets of boats and crews will take to the waters to compete each day, with highlights including Chase the Race and the Round Antigua Race. The regatta attracts everything from serious racing boats including state-of-the-art and high-tech racing machines, to a variety of performance cruising and cruising boats.

For those who wish to relax and enjoy spectating, there will be plenty on offer. The evening events will see a variety of live musical performances from local artists and delicious traditional Antiguan food and drink. One of the highlights will be the Big Night Party on 2nd May while the 'Lay Day' on 3rd May is another popular event with a spectacular regatta and party at Pigeon Point. Guests will be greeted with barbeques, cold beers and adrenalin-filled action on the water.

The celebration will come to a close with the final awards ceremony and after party, held at Nelsons Dockyard. This is a must-attend event, where spectators and competitors will come together to celebrate 50 years of racing with a host of musical performances. www.sailingweek.com

60th Anniversary of Carnival, 28th July – 8th August 2017

Antigua Carnival is a hugely important and popular event in residents' diaries, as it celebrates the historical day when slavery was abolished. In 1957, the first Antiguan Carnival took place, and has since thrived in popularity, growing each year with more musical performances, dances, marches and formal evening events.

The 60th anniversary will attract visitors from across the world, as guests have the opportunity to experience true Antiguan culture and its rich history. The main celebrations take place on the streets of St Johns and in Carnival City at the Antigua Recreation Ground. The day time events will consist of parades along the main streets creating a sea of bright colours and elaborate dancing. www.antiguacarnival.com

Independence Day, 1st November 2016

Antigua and Barbuda's Independence Day is on 1st November each year with celebrations including a week of parades, musical performances, food fairs and competitions. Independence Day is a hugely popular event for both Antiguan locals and visitors from across the world. The 35th year is set to be bigger than ever with local businesses, schools and government buildings decorated with the traditional yellow and red colours of the national dress to bring to capital of St Johns to life. Celebrations for 2016 include parades along the main streets in St Johns, food markets selling traditional Antiguan products and authentic Antiguan steel band performances.

www.independence.gov.ag

Island developments

Paradise Found, Barbuda to start construction in 2017

The highly-anticipated hotel project, headed up by Robert De Niro and billionaire James Packer, is set to start construction in early 2017 and will cost more than £190 million. The luxury complex will span over 859 acres and include an airport to serve private jets and helicopters, 50 villas and cottages each with a private pool, alongside six overwater villas with eco-friendly technology. A superyacht marina will be built, consisting of 12 moorings and each villa will have its own individual dock. As part of the project, a Princess Diana Beach Anchorage will be constructed with six water moorings and an on-site casino.

The project will also serve the local community with a sustainable development plan. This will include the creation of a donkey sanctuary, reduction of visual pollution and removing condemned buildings, as well as development of homes for low income families and redevelopment of the old derelict Government House into a museum.

The V.C. Bird International Airport is set to be run by solar power

The Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda are moving closer to achieving the goal of operating the greenest electricity sector in the region with the addition of a sun2live solar power plant at the international airport. The plant will cover almost the entire energy demand of the airport and the aim is to provide 24 hours of electricity and reduce the impact on the environment.

Hotel news

Multi-million dollar development Hodges Bay, to open in early 2017

Located on the secluded northern side of the island, Hodges Bay is a luxury beachfront resort and spa, with a truly exclusive feel. The resort is set to open in early 2017 and will offer guests oceanfront penthouses, villas and suites with innovative dining options and a host of leisure facilities. Situated in nine acres of lush gardens on a pristine beach, the resort is the ultimate in exclusivity with incomparable service. www.hodgesbay.com

Pineapple Beach Club Antigua officially joins the Elite Island Resorts Group

The luxury Pineapple Beach Club has recently been added to the Elite Island Resorts Group, a collection of beachfront resorts in the Caribbean, with properties in Antigua including St. James's Club & Villas, The Verandah Resort & Spa and Galley Bay Resort & Spa. Pineapple Beach Club has a total of 180 rooms each with garden, beach or ocean front views and is situated on Antigua's north coast. The adults-only all-inclusive resort offers a range of non-motorized water sports and has four restaurants offering a vast variety of cuisines from traditional Caribbean to Italian, a gym and a spa offering a full range of treatments. www.pineapplebeachclub.com

New Villa Turquoise at Nonsuch Bay Resort, Antigua

Nonsuch Bay, one of Antigua's most luxurious resorts, has unveiled the new Villa Turquoise. The villa has three en-suite bedrooms with a truly breathtaking view out across the Caribbean Ocean, and is within easy walking distance from the restaurant and beach whist still feeling separate from the main resort area. Nonsuch Bay Resort consists of an array of well-appointed suites and beach front cottages in one of Antigua's most secluded and unspoiled areas.  Stays at Villa Turquoise start at £9,876 for a seven night break.

www.nonsuchbayresort.com/index.html

Curtain Bluff, Antigua, undergoes renovations for the 2016/2017 season

The five star all-inclusive resort on the south coast of the island will open for the 2016/2017 winter season having undergone a series of renovations. The new features include infinity-edge plunge pools in all signature suites, a redesign of the Terrace Suite including a lavish spa and bathroom and the launch of a 'Beach Concierge' service, which can arrange watersport activities and food and beverage orders for guests. The watersports area will also be redesigned with improved functionality and a large deck is being built around the watersports area, for people to enjoy watching their friends and family on the water. The renovations will be completed by 22nd October, when the hotel reopens for the winter season. The hotel has two private beaches, a lush tropical garden and offers unbeatable ocean views. Breaks at Curtain Bluff start from £663 per night based on two people sharing a deluxe room on an all-inclusive basis. www.curtainbluff.com

Blue Waters re-vamps Rock Cottage

Rock Cottage at Blue Waters has undergone renovations to offer guests the ultimate in seclusion. The cottage has 360 views across the sea and sits high on a rocky outcrop. It now boasts a lovely private terrace and the interior of the cottage offers classic beach décor with a modern twist. The cottage offers guests up to five bedrooms, a separate living area, kitchen and plunge pool, creating the perfect retreat for a luxury getaway. Setting Rock Cottage above the rest is the availability of the new concierge service. The service is available from 8am to 6pm daily and guests are given a special phone on which they can contact the concierge and ask for food and drink service anywhere in the resort. For further information please visit www.bluewaters.net

Key Antiguan events for Autumn

Nonsuch Bay Winestock, 20th November 2016. Nonsuch Bay hosts an annual food and wine festival event, known as the 'biggest wine party in the Caribbean'. This annual day combines the best wine merchants and chefs from across the country.

Moods of Pan, 26th – 27th November 2016. Moods of Pan is an annual event in Antigua, featuring the best of the steel pan musicians and attracts music fans from across the world.

Independence Day, 1st November 2016. This annual day of celebrations is a hugely popular event for Antiguan locals, with a number of parades, musical performances and food fairs.

Autumn marks the start of the Antigua sailing season. Key events to attend include:

Jolly Harbour Yacht Regatta, 19th – 20th November 2016. Jolly Harbour is Antigua's premier yacht club and hosts two days of action on the water for everyone from beginners to experienced sailors.

Antigua Charter Yacht Show, 4th – 10th December 2016. Taking place at Nelson's Dockyard Marina and Falmouth Harbour, this annual event will see visitors from across the world come to view some of the most breath taking charter yachts.

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, 19th – 25th April 2017. The 30th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta will see a number of classic yacht races in the Caribbean Ocean with an awards ceremony and evening events for spectators.

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For further information on Antigua and Barbuda please visit: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com

About Antigua and Barbuda:

Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew' da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua & Barbuda comprises 108-square miles. The 365 white and pink sand beaches, one for every day of the year, are just the beginning of the treasures that await visitors.  Antigua's rich history and spectacular topography provide a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson's Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort commissioned by the British in 1755, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Betty's Hope, built in 1674, is the site of one of the first full-scale sugar plantations on Antigua, and offers a chance to step back into time by visiting the restored mills. Another unique attraction is Devil's Bridge, located at the eastern tip of the island in Indian Town National Park, where Atlantic breakers have carved out a natural limestone arch. Antigua boasts a varied tourism calendar including events such as the World Class Antigua Sailing Week, Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua Sports Fishing and also the annual Carnival; known as the Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival. Island accommodation ranges from luxury resorts and all-inclusive hotels to smaller more intimate boutique guesthouses and cottages. For information about Antigua & Barbuda visit www.visitantiguabarbuda.com