Senior Leadership
The leadership team behind the prestigious Black Pineapple Awards
Minister of Tourism
The current Minister of Tourism for Antigua and Barbuda is Hon. Charles “Max” Fernandez, who focuses on sustainable tourism and has recently highlighted record-breaking growth in the tourism sector
It is with immense pride and gratitude that I extend a warm Antiguan and Barbudan welcome to all our distinguished travel agents and partners who join us for the inaugural Antigua and Barbuda Black Pineapple Awards. This spectacular event taking place in our stunning twin-island paradise, marks a significant milestone in our tourism journey—a moment to honor the individuals whose tireless efforts have played an integral role in sharing the magic of Antigua and Barbuda with the world.
Named after our world-renowned Antigua Black Pineapple—celebrated as the sweetest fruit in the Caribbean—this event symbolizes the very essence of what we strive for as a destination: excellence, authenticity, and the pursuit of unforgettable experiences. Much like the care it takes to cultivate this unique fruit, the success of our tourism industry would not be possible without the unwavering dedication, expertise, and passion of our travel agents.
This year has been nothing short of extraordinary for Antigua and Barbuda. With record-breaking arrivals in both stay-over and cruise tourism, we stand proud of our achievements. These milestones are a testament to the exceptional collaboration between our teams on the ground, our partners in key markets, and, of course, you—our valued travel agents. You are the bridge that connects the dream of visiting Antigua and Barbuda to the reality of experiencing our warm hospitality, pristine beaches, and rich culture.
The Black Pineapple Awards are more than just an event; they are a celebration of partnership. They are our heartfelt way of saying “thank you” for your role in shaping our success story. We are thrilled to host the industry’s finest travel professionals here in Antigua and Barbuda. Through exclusive excursions, curated events, and a glamorous black-tie gala, we aim to offer you an insider’s view of our destination while celebrating your remarkable achievements.
As we embark on this exciting chapter together, I invite you to immerse yourselves in the charm and allure of Antigua and Barbuda. Discover why so many travelers call our shores their home away from home. And as we honor your accomplishments, let us also reaffirm our shared commitment to excellence in travel and tourism.
On behalf of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, I thank you for your continued support, trust, and passion. It is your dedication that inspires us to innovate and strive for greatness. I look forward to celebrating with you and creating unforgettable memories during this landmark occasion.
Chairman
Vernon A. Jeffers Sr. was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), effective February 2023. Mr. Jeffers succeeds Dr. Lorraine Raeburn who served as the Chairman from January 2018 – January 2023.
Welcome to the Antigua and Barbuda Black Pineapple Awards. It is a pleasure to host you – our distinguished travel trade partners in beautiful Antigua and Barbuda, as we celebrate another outstanding year for Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism industry.
Tonight, we honour the vital role you play in our shared success. The travel trade is vital to our industry, creating awareness, driving bookings, and most importantly, providing the important connection between our tourism product in Antigua and Barbuda, and the travellers around the globe.
We are proud to share that this year’s accolades, including Caribbean Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025, Caribbean’s Leading Meeting & Conference Destination 2025, which highlights that your clients are highly satisfied with their choice of Antigua and Barbuda. Their loyalty, returning year after year, is a testament to the fact that we are doing something right. In 2025, we celebrated the 100th visit of a traveller whose first introduction to Antigua and Barbuda could have very well been as a result of an interaction with a member of the travel trade.
A classic destination, Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product continues to uphold the highest standards. New offerings are introduced annually and ongoing renovations ensuring our destination remains fresh, inviting, and competitive.
Let us raise a toast – to the travel trade, to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority team, to our tourism industry partners and to another successful year for Antigua and Barbuda. Thank you for your support, your partnership, and for being here with us!
Best Wishes!
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Colin James was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) on February 1, 2009. This appointment was made as the authority was officially launched on the same date.
It is with immense pride and gratitude that we welcome you to Antigua and Barbuda for this exclusive celebration of excellence, where we honour the outstanding achievements of the travel consultants who have made a significant impact on our industry.
With the pineapple being the symbol of hospitality as well as having the honor of being our national fruit, the Antigua Black Pineapple renowned for its unique sweetness and unforgettable flavor is a most fitting award to honor such a unique and distinguished group of travel professionals.
As we bring together Antigua and Barbuda’s top-producing travel agents, we not only recognize your exceptional contributions but also invite you to immerse yourselves in the unparalleled charm and beauty of Antigua and Barbuda while you’re here with us. Through carefully curated events and excursions, we hope to provide you with an insider’s perspective on the warmth, culture, and allure that make our twin islands a premier travel destination.
You are the storytellers who inspire wanderlust, the planners who craft dreams into reality, and the bridge between travelers and their next great adventure. This evening is a testament to your excellence and the waves you’ve made in shaping the global travel landscape.
We thank you for your unwavering commitment to our beautiful country and look forward to celebrating your achievements in style. It’s our absolute pleasure to welcome all of you to our shore for a well-deserved recognition, celebration, and unforgettable memories!
Our directors
The Tourism Market Directors
Director of Tourism for the U.S.
After cutting his ties with the BVI Tourist Board, Mr. Fenton joined the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Office in New York in 2006 as a Tourism Officer with special expertise in Marketing. He was promoted to Sales and Marketing Manager, then Senior Sales and Marketing Manager before accepting the role of ABTA’s Director of Tourism for the USA market in October of 2022
Thank you to all our award recipients, and partners who have worked hard this year to help achieve tremendous success and that is done through an amazing partnership between our trade and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. Now we take this moment to honor and celebrate your accomplishments with this year’s Black Pineapple Awards.
Antigua’s focus of enhancing the vacation journey at every touchpoint paid off with exceptionally high guest satisfaction scores and a surge in both new and repeat guests to Antigua and Barbuda.
We have a lot to celebrate and honor in this year — Caribbean Best Emerging Culinary City Destination 2025, Caribbean’s Leading Meeting & Conference Destination 2025 and more. But most of all — 2025 was a year to celebrate, YOU!
Everyone brings something unique to the table, and when we put our individual skills and talents together, that leads to the best possible partnership!
Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America
Mrs. Spencer started with the ABTA in 2012 as Marketing Manager with responsibility for developing and measuring integrated marketing programs to increase destination brand awareness. In 2017 she was given the additional responsibility of generating renewed interest in Antigua and Barbuda as the top destination for regional events, meetings and sporting activities. Then in 2023 she was promoted to Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America.
As Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you for the outstanding work you have accomplished over the past year. As our top-producing Caribbean travel agents, it is my distinct honor to welcome you to Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s inaugural Black Pineapple Awards.
Your unwavering dedication to connecting travelers with the magic of our islands—our pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and unique experiences—is truly inspiring. Through your hard work, you have not only showcased the best of Antigua and Barbuda but also created countless unforgettable memories for visitors from around the globe. You are the backbone of our regional tourism industry and true ambassadors of the Caribbean’s beauty, culture, and hospitality.
Your efforts have had a profound impact, not only on tourism but also on the livelihoods of our people and communities. You have played an instrumental role in driving growth, fostering sustainability, and ensuring Antigua and Barbuda remain a top choice for travelers worldwide.
On behalf of all of us, thank you for your passion, creativity, and commitment. Your accomplishments reflect your professionalism and serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible opportunities ahead for us as partners. We are thrilled to celebrate your outstanding achievements and look forward to continuing this journey together—expanding horizons and sharing the unparalleled spirit of the Caribbean with even more travelers.
Congratulations once again on your success and thank you for all that you do!
Director of Tourism for Canada
Ms. Wharton has the distinct honour of being the team member who started with the CEO at the launch of ABTA in February of 2009. As Office Administrator/Personal Assistant to the CEO, she was the stabilizing force during the build out of the office. She was then promoted to the position of Sales and Marketing Manager, for the Canadian market in 2013 and then acted as Director of Tourism for Canada from 2018 until she was confirmed in the role in 2024.
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I extend my warmest welcome to you as we gather to celebrate the inaugural Antigua and Barbuda Black Pineapple Awards. This event acknowledges the exceptional achievements of our global travel advisor partners and highlights their unwavering commitment to excellence which drives the tourism industry forward.
To the awardees, congratulations! Your dedication, passion, and expertise have not only fulfilled your client’s vacation dreams but have also made a significant impact on the lives of tourism industry workers in Antigua and Barbuda. You inspire all of us in this industry to reach for higher heights.
As Director of Tourism for Canada, I have had the privilege of witnessing this appeal in the Canadian market. From our pristine, 365 beaches to the vibrant culture and warm hospitality of our people, this twin-island nation continues to captivate travelers seeking unforgettable experiences. Events like the Black Pineapple Awards further enhance this appeal by fostering a deeper connection between our valued travel professionals and this extraordinary destination.
I commend the planning committee of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for organising this outstanding initiative and creating a platform to honor the contributions of travel advisors worldwide.
To our hotel partners, other stakeholders, and all those who made this event possible, thank you for your dedication and understanding of our vision. Together, we are creating a brighter future for tourism in Antigua and Barbuda.
Here’s to celebrating excellence, fostering partnerships, and the continued development of Antigua and Barbuda as a premier destination for the years to come.
Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe
Ms. Osborne joined the Antigua and Barbuda Tourist Office in London in 2006 as a Junior Tourism Officer. Over the years due to her dedication, commitment, knowledge and professionalism she was promoted to ABTA’s Marketing and Administration Manager for the UK in 2009, and then to Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe in 2013.
As the Director of Tourism for the UK and Europe, I am delighted to welcome you to the inaugural Antigua and Barbuda Black Pineapple Awards— tonight we are recognising extraordinary Travel Agents who have gone above and beyond to sell the destination.
The United Kingdom has always held a special place in the story of Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism success with its strong historical and cultural connections. The allure of Antigua and Barbuda, for the European market, particularly our Italian visitors, can be traced back to days of the K Club in Barbuda, which introduced visitors to the island’s charm. Today, the UK and European markets remain steadfast contributors to our tourism industry, with visitors staying an average of 10 to 14 nights—a testament of the value of your business.
To our awardees, this event is our heartfelt thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to promoting Antigua and Barbuda. Your efforts play an integral role in connecting our twin islands to the world, inviting travellers to discover our vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. Thank you for being here tonight and being part of our story.
