Marriott is entering the Antigua and Barbuda market for the first time with a major new resort.

The $40 million Coconut Bay Resort project, which will be part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, broke ground this week on a site two miles west of St. John’s.

“Being able to participate in the ground-breaking of new properties and developments, that will lead to increasing the room availability, and broadening our twin-island nations portfolio of distinguished properties, is of utmost distinction and importance,” said Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Asot Michael.

The groundbreaking in Antigua this week.

The new hotel is located on the site of the former Coconut Beach Club.

It will include 40 luxury condominiums, along with a 70-room five-star hotel with a sustainable design.

“We are confident that having the Marriott name and respect of brand as part of our portfolio will lead to increased airlift, in particular from the US market as this is a draw for US carriers,” Michael said.

The project is the brainchild of Leisure World Properties Limited, Drake and Scull, PWC Middle East and Marriott.

Construction is slated to take two years, with the projected creation of 240 permanent jobs upon completion.

“We believe Marriott’s Autograph Collection will be a strong addition to the current tourism landscape in the region and this project will endorse Antigua and Barbuda’s position as the international gateway to the eastern Caribbean,” said Bojan Kumer, Marriott’s director of development for the Caribbean and Latin America. “We are excited to bring the brand to the island and be part of its continued growth as a tourism destination.”