About the Black Pineapple Awards
Celebrating excellence and achievements across Antigua and Barbuda
How to be a contender
1
Become an Antigua & Barbuda Specialist
Enroll in our free, interactive online training program to become a certified Antigua & Barbuda Specialist. Learn everything you need to know about our beautiful twin-island destination.
2
Promote and Sell Antigua & Barbuda
Over the course of the year, focus on driving bookings — including hotel stays, flights, and luxury travel experiences — for your clients interested in Antigua & Barbuda.
3
Log Your Bookings and Track Your Bookings:
Once you’ve started selling the destination, record your bookings through the TA Connect Rewards Portal. Each logged booking helps you qualify for recognition and exclusive rewards.
Our Mission
The Black Pineapple Awards were established to recognize, celebrate, and promote outstanding achievements and contributions made by individuals and organizations to the development and enhancement of Antigua and Barbuda. By highlighting excellence across various sectors, we aim to inspire future generations and showcase the rich talent and dedication found within our twin-island nation.
The Black Pineapple
The Black Pineapple (Ananas comosus ‘Antigua Black’) is a variety of pineapple cultivated in Antigua and Barbuda that is renowned worldwide for its exceptional sweetness and quality. It serves as a perfect symbol for our awards, representing:
- Excellence and distinctive quality
- Deep roots in Antiguan and Barbudan cultural heritage
- Resilience and ability to thrive in challenging conditions
- The sweet rewards of hard work and dedication
Our History
The inaugural Black Pineapple Awards ceremony was held in 2020, bringing together leaders, innovators, artists, and community builders from across Antigua and Barbuda. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, our first ceremony set a precedent for excellence and established the awards as a prestigious recognition of achievement in our nation. Since then, the awards have grown in prominence and scope, with an increasing number of nominations each year across our expanding categories.
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
Established in 2009, the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority is a statutory body dedicated to realizing the tourism potential of Antigua & Barbuda by promoting the twin island state as a unique, quality tourist destination with the overall objective of increasing visitor arrivals thereby providing sustainable economic growth.
Mission
Telling the world our cultural and natural wellness story that Antigua and Barbuda is the number one year round Caribbean destination for visitors seeking yachting and sailing, and romance, through our network of friends and family, and our industry partners local and worldwide.
Vision
By 2025, travel and tourism in Antigua and Barbuda will contribute US$1bn directly to the economy and the country will be the most recognized destination worldwide.
Key Experiential Pillars
What we do
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), led by CEO Colin C. James is made up of a professional team of thirty-one, who have responsibility for the following areas:
Special Projects and Events
ABTA creates events like Romance Month and the new Culinary Month to promote tourism.
Marketing, PR & Communications, Digital Media
The team manages all marketing, public relations, advertising, and digital efforts, collaborating with international PR and media agencies, and hosting media and content creators to increase awareness of the twin-islands and enhance presence globally.
Sales and Business Development
This team works with travel trade partners to execute campaigns, drive bookings, ensure airlift, plan events like trade shows and roadshows, and encourage year-round travel.
Operations
This team ensures smooth functioning of daily operations through finance, HR, procurement, contracting and legal matters.
Awards Committee
Chairperson
Vice Chair
Secretary
Cultural Affairs Lead
Education Liaison
Business & Innovation Lead
