ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (December 3, 2025) – 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.
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ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Antigua (pronounced An-tee’ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew’da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches – one for every day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson’s Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua’s tourism events calendar includes the Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find information on Antigua & Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda Facebook: www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda
FOR ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA MEDIA ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
Maria Blackman
Marketing Communications Manager
Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
T: 1 (268) 562 7600/464-7601
E: maria.blackman@visitaandb.com
Antigua and Barbuda Images: aandbtourism.fotoseeker.com
