Above: the Trade Winds hotel in Antigua

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hotel bookings in Antigua reached a five-year high in January, according to data from the Antigua Hotels & Tourism Association.

January bookings were up 5.4 percent over the previous year, according to the organization, leading Tourism Minister John Maginley to declare that the twin-island federation is on the verge of a “tourism turnaround.”

“I am incredibly encouraged by the fact that hotel bookings in January 2014 reached a five year high,” Maginley said. “The last time we were at these level of arrivals was before the global economic crisis.”

There are several new projects on stream on the island, including the high-profile Beaches project announced at the end of 2013 by Sandals Resorts International.

“It is no wonder that the Beaches resort seeks to build hundreds of rooms and employ thousands directly and indirectly,” Maginley said. “Beaches can see that Antigua and Barbuda is in the midst of a tourism turnaround. And, while there is still more work to be done, it is clear that this substantial increase in tourism is a good thing for our country. And, it’s a good thing for our economy.”